Zelensky Welcomes 'Positive' Overtures From Putin, But Says Ceasefire Must Come Before Peace Talks

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 10:17 am

Zelensky Welcomes Putin's Talk Offer, But Demands Ceasefire First

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to a Russian offer for direct peace talks, calling it a "positive" sign. However, he's firmly insisting on a full, temporary ceasefire before any negotiations can begin. This comes amidst renewed Russian drone attacks across Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledged the world's long wait for such a development. He emphasized that a ceasefire is the crucial first step towards ending the conflict. He proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, May 12th, and expressed Ukraine's readiness to meet.

The Russian response, delivered by President Vladimir Putin, countered with a proposal to restart talks in Istanbul on Thursday, without preconditions. Putin suggested a ceasefire could be agreed upon during the negotiations. This offer followed pressure from leaders of four major European countries who threatened to increase pressure on Moscow if it didn't accept the unconditional ceasefire.

Simultaneously, Russia resumed its drone attacks after a self-declared three-day pause. Ukraine's Air Force reported launching 108 attack and simulator drones from six directions. They claimed to have shot down 60 drones and that 41 simulator drones failed to reach their targets.

U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling it a "potentially great day" for both Russia and Ukraine and expressing his willingness to work with both sides. The Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, described Putin's proposal as "very serious" and indicative of a genuine desire for a peaceful resolution, with the talks' goals being to eliminate the conflict's root causes and secure Russia's interests.

BNN's Perspective: While the willingness to talk is a welcome development, the fundamental disagreement over the ceasefire highlights the deep distrust between the two sides. The insistence on a ceasefire before talks is understandable from Ukraine's perspective, given the ongoing attacks. However, Russia's counter-offer suggests a different approach, potentially aiming to gain leverage during negotiations. The path to peace remains complex and fraught with challenges.

Keywords: Zelensky, Putin, Ukraine, Russia, ceasefire, peace talks, drone attacks, Istanbul, Donald Trump, conflict, negotiations, war, diplomacy, international relations, Europe, Kyiv, May 12th

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