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Russian President Vladimir Putin called for “direct negotiations” with Ukraine, saying that they should “start without delay, already on May 15”.
“We are looking for serious negotiations … To remove the root causes of the conflict and start moving to a strong, strong peace,” he said on Saturday, in a rare television address from the Kremlin.
This happens several hours after European leaders – including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron – visited Ukraine and urged Russia to agree to an unconditional 30 -day ceasefire.
In response, the Kremlin’s press -secretary Dmitry Peskau said that Moscow “should think about it,” but warned that “the attempt to put pressure on us is completely useless.”
In his statement, Putin stated that he “does not rule out” that during the negotiations – which he offered in the Turkish capital Istanbul – Russia and Ukraine, “can” agree with new fun, new truce. “
The Russian leader said he would talk to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday to discuss the details.
Kyiv did not commented on Putin’s proposal.
Earlier on Saturday, European leaders went to the capital of Ukraine and called on Moscow to agree to the monthly ceasefire with Ukraine, starting Monday.
The call was issued at the meeting of the so -called “coalition willingly”, and the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland saw that near the President of Ukraine Loladimir Zelensky.
They made a statement after discussing the plan by phone with US President Donald Trump – who originally pondered the unconditional ceasefire. Leaders threatened Russia with “massive” sanctions if they did not comply.
In response, the Kremlin said he was considering the proposal but does not respond to the pressure.
After the meeting, Sir Keir said: “We all call with the US (Russian President Vladimir). If he is serious about peace, he has the opportunity to show it.”
Zelensky added: “Thank you all for being with us. Today we will focus on how to create and guarantee real and solid security.”
A few hours later, Putin made his own statement and a video showing journalists collected in the Kremlin hall.
“This would be the first step to a long-term, lasting peace, not a prologue to more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian armed forces will receive new weapons and staff, after the feverish passage of the trench and the creation of new team positions,” he said.
“Who needs such peace?”
Putin also accused Ukraine of not repeating three proposals for ceasefire from Moscow – 30-day stop at attacks on energy infrastructure. Easter truce and The cessation of fire ordered Putin last month To coincide with two honored memory last week.
Earlier, Ukraine stated that Russian attacks continued during these periods. Russia has made similar claims to Ukraine.
“Despite everything, we suggest that the Kyiv authorities restore negotiations … to resume direct negotiations, and I emphasize without any conditions,” Putin said on Saturday night.
Recent direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev took place shortly after Russia’s full -scale invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago.
