Asger Risom
Ukrainian leader insists on ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his push for an end to hostilities, directly addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin with a clear message: “I’ll wait for Putin in Turkey on Thursday.”
In a statement posted on X, Zelensky reiterated the demand for “a complete and lasting ceasefire starting tomorrow to provide the necessary foundation for diplomacy.” He added, “There’s no point in prolonging the crimes. I hope this time the Russians won’t look for other excuses,” as reported by Digi24.
International Pressure for Negotiations
The call comes after Putin proposed to resume the Russia-Ukraine negotiations that were halted in 2022, suggesting the talks take place in Istanbul on May 15, according to Russian state agency TASS.
Zelensky insisted that any direct meeting is contingent on a verified ceasefire: “We are prepared to meet with the Russians if a credible, durable ceasefire is in place.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to accept Russia’s proposal immediately, despite Moscow not agreeing to the joint 30-day ceasefire proposal made by Ukraine and European leaders.
Moscow’s Response Remains Vague
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded Sunday, indicating Russia’s willingness to negotiate but rejecting preconditions. The Kremlin maintains that talks should resume where they were left in 2022.
The international community now awaits whether both sides will come to the table under these tense and uncertain conditions.