Zelenskyy Calls for 30-Day Ceasefire Before Direct Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with Russia, emphasizing that no peace discussions can begin unless the violence fully stops. Speaking after a summit in Kyiv with leaders from France, Germany, the UK, and Poland, Zelenskyy stated he is willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin personally in Turkiye, but only after a verified ceasefire takes effect.
Writing on X, Zelenskyy called the Russian consideration of ending the war “a positive sign” and stressed that “the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.” He requested the ceasefire to begin on May 12, adding that “Ukraine is ready to meet” once Russia confirms the truce.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by rejecting a pre-negotiation truce and instead invited Ukraine to resume direct negotiations in Istanbul starting Thursday, proposing that a ceasefire might be agreed upon during the talks rather than beforehand.
International Pressure Mounts as Leaders Back Ceasefire Plan
The call for an immediate ceasefire has found strong support among European leaders and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social urging Ukraine to accept Putin’s offer to meet. Trump called the proposed Istanbul meeting “a potential end to the bloodbath” and pressed Ukraine to “agree to this immediately.”
In Kyiv, European leaders warned Moscow of “massive” new sanctions if it fails to accept the ceasefire plan. This unified stance marks a coordinated diplomatic push to de-escalate the war, with Turkiye once again positioned as a host for potential peace talks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the current moment as a “historic turning point” and reaffirmed his country’s readiness to facilitate negotiations.
While Ukraine demands a verified halt in hostilities before talks, Russia insists on negotiations without preconditions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Putin’s offer “very serious” and said it aims to address “the root causes of the conflict.” Moscow continues to reference a 2022 draft deal that suggested Ukrainian neutrality in return for international security guarantees.
Strategic Maneuvering Amid Global Diplomatic Stakes
The proposed ceasefire and talks come amid growing international and domestic pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow. Trump’s increasing involvement signals the issue’s prominence in global geopolitics, especially as the former U.S. president suggested his future support may depend on which side he believes is blocking peace.
Analysts suggest both sides are carefully shaping public narratives. Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute noted that “both are maneuvering to blame the other” in case peace efforts fail—aware that Trump’s position could heavily influence U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Putin has presented the conflict as a reaction to decades of NATO expansion, while the West sees it as a blatant act of aggression. Both perspectives continue to shape the discourse, complicating attempts at resolution.
Despite repeated violations of past ceasefires by both sides, the renewed diplomatic momentum—centered on the proposed Istanbul talks—offers a glimmer of hope. The coming days will reveal whether a genuine step toward peace can be taken or whether the cycle of violence and blame continues.
