Ukrainian President Welcomes Russian Overtures, But Says Ceasefire Must Come Before Peace Talks

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 2:23 pm

Ukraine Welcomes Russian Peace Talk Offer, But Demands Ceasefire First

Kyiv, Ukraine – The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has seen a potential shift, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcoming Russia's offer for direct peace talks. However, Zelenskyy insists on a full, temporary ceasefire as a prerequisite for negotiations.

Zelenskyy, in a post on X, acknowledged the Russian offer as a positive sign, stating the world has been waiting for such a development. He proposed a 30-day unconditional truce starting Monday, May 12th, emphasizing the need to halt the killing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, countered Zelenskyy's proposal. Putin rejected the ceasefire offer and instead proposed restarting direct talks in Istanbul on Thursday, without preconditions. He suggested a ceasefire could be agreed upon during the negotiations.

This development follows a coordinated call for a truce from leaders of four major European countries – France, the UK, Germany, and Poland – who met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The plan has received backing from the European Union and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed optimism about the situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron, while acknowledging Putin's offer as a first step, expressed skepticism, stating that an unconditional ceasefire should not be preceded by negotiations. Macron also warned that Putin may be seeking to buy time.

Meanwhile, Russia resumed mass drone attacks on Ukraine early Sunday after a self-declared three-day pause. Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 60 drones, while the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of violating its ceasefire.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to host peace talks, speaking with both Macron and Putin.

BNN's Perspective: The situation remains incredibly complex. While any willingness to negotiate is a positive development, the fundamental disagreement over the sequencing of a ceasefire versus talks highlights the deep distrust between the two sides. The resumption of attacks underscores the fragility of any potential progress. A lasting peace will require significant compromise and a commitment to de-escalation from both Russia and Ukraine.

Keywords: Ukraine, Russia, peace talks, ceasefire, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, war, conflict, negotiations, Istanbul, drone attacks, truce, European Union, Kyiv, international relations.

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