Putin Calls for Unconditional Peace Talks in Istanbul as Zelenskyy Demands Immediate Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct, unconditional peace talks with Ukraine to be held in Istanbul. In a televised statement, he invited Ukrainian officials to resume negotiations as early as Thursday, emphasizing that the discussions should focus on the root causes of the war. Putin added that he would speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to help facilitate the talks. The Kremlin sees this as a significant opportunity for a lasting ceasefire and peace agreement, though Putin made no new concessions.

Zelenskyy Conditions Peace Talks on Ceasefire, While Trump and Europe Urge Action

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the possibility of peace talks, calling the proposal a positive development. However, he insisted that any negotiations must be preceded by a full, reliable ceasefire. In a message on X, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to meet, but stressed that the killing must stop immediately for talks to be meaningful. His response underlined the international community’s long-standing desire to see an end to the conflict.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised the development, suggesting that ending the war could save hundreds of thousands of lives and usher in a better global environment. He expressed his commitment to working with both sides, while also signaling that the U.S. wants to prioritize economic rebuilding and trade. Meanwhile, European leaders had just recently demanded a 30-day ceasefire from Russia and threatened new sanctions, which Putin dismissed as ultimatums.

Ceasefire Violations and Russia’s Continued Demands Amid Peace Talk Proposals

Putin noted that Russia had previously offered several ceasefires, including during Easter and World War II commemorations. However, he accused Ukraine of violating these truces with drone and missile attacks. Conversely, Ukraine claimed that Russia breached the same ceasefire agreements. Despite the proposal for peace talks, Russia reportedly launched drone strikes on Ukrainian territory the same day, raising questions about Moscow’s commitment to an actual de-escalation.

While Putin now advocates for talks without preconditions, he reiterated long-standing Russian demands: Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions and withdraw from four contested regions. Despite this, Russian officials have stated they do not oppose Ukraine’s desire to join the European Union.

Putin also revisited a 2022 draft deal that proposed Ukrainian neutrality with security guarantees from U.N. Security Council members. He blamed Kyiv for ending those negotiations and thanked international mediators for their efforts to revive the peace process.