Russian president Vladimir Putin proposed that the Ukrainian authorities resume direct peace negotiations. The place was designated Istanbul. The first talks would take place on 15 May.
Putin stated that negotiations should not be preceded by pre-conditions. According to him, Russia wants to have ‘serious’ talks with Ukraine: ‘It makes senseeliminate the root causes of the conflict, reconstruct long-term unchangeable peace in the historical perspective. We do not regulation out that during these talks we will be able to agree on fresh truces, a fresh ceasefire. It would be a real truce, respected not only by Russia, but alsovia the Ukrainian side’.
Thus Putin actually rejected the ultimatum of western countries with a ceasefire for a period of 30 days starting on 12 May. In the event of his rejection, the western allies of Ukraine threatened Moscow with fresh severe sanctions.
Ukraine's president Wolodymir Zelenski accepted the proposal to resume negotiations, but stated that there had to be a ceasefire first. Similarly, General Keith Kellogg, who was elected by U.S. president Donald Trump as a peculiar envoy for Russia and Ukraine, is besides of the opinion.
The possible negotiations were discussed by Putin's advisor Yuri Uszakov. He stated that future dialog should take into account not only the demands of the Spring 2022 Kremlin but besides the current situation in the field of combat.
Source: Moscowtimes.ru
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