Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv is set to engage in discussions with Moscow in Istanbul on May 15, contingent upon Russia’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire starting tomorrow.
Mr. Zelensky, expressing a rare sentiment since Moscow began its invasion over three years ago, noted a potential “positive sign” from Russia.
The two sides have not engaged in direct talks since the onset of the Kremlin’s invasion in February 2022.
His remarks followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion for a meeting between Kyiv and Moscow on May 15.
During a recent visit to Kyiv, leaders from France, the UK, Germany, and Poland, backed by US President Donald Trump, urged Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine beginning tomorrow.
Russia’s prolonged invasion has persisted for over three years, resulting in thousands of casualties.
“There is no reason to continue the violence for even a single day. We anticipate Russia will confirm a ceasefire—one that is full, lasting, and reliable—starting tomorrow, May 15, and Ukraine is prepared to engage,” Mr. Zelensky stated on social media.
“It’s encouraging that the Russians are finally contemplating ending the war,” he continued.
“The world has been awaiting this moment for a considerable time. The first step toward genuinely concluding any war is establishing a ceasefire.”
It’s indeed a positive development that Russia appears to be considering ending this conflict. The world has long awaited this moment. The initial step in truly concluding any war is a ceasefire.
There’s no purpose in prolonging the violence even for another…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 11, 2025
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented that Russia’s willingness to negotiate directly with Ukraine is “a good sign,” though it remains “far from adequate.”
“We expect Moscow to agree to a ceasefire that enables genuine discussions to commence. First, the weapons must fall silent, and then negotiations can follow,” he stated.
‘First ceasefire’, then the rest
Kyiv and its Western allies assert that an unconditional ceasefire is essential to progress toward a diplomatic resolution in this three-year conflict, regarded as Europe’s most significant since World War II.
Mr. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, stated that Kyiv would only participate in talks if Moscow consents to a ceasefire starting tomorrow.
“We require a 30-day ceasefire before anything else,” he posted on social media.
“A ceasefire represents the first step toward concluding the war and will demonstrate Russia’s willingness to halt the violence.”
Russia has conducted a series of deadly assaults on Ukraine this spring and occupies approximately a fifth of the nation’s territory.
Efforts to engage in talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in 2022 fell apart, resulting in ongoing conflict.
Current communication between the two nations has been restricted to exchanges concerning prisoners of war and casualties.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had initial direct discussions during the early days of the conflict.
Putin quiet on ceasefire
Hours prior to Mr. Zelensky’s statements, Mr. Putin addressed the European ultimatum during a press conference at the Kremlin.
“We propose that the Kyiv authorities resume the talks they abandoned in 2022, and I stress, without any preconditions,” he stated.
“We suggest commencing negotiations without delay on Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul,” Mr. Putin asserted, mentioning he would soon reach out to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to seek assistance in facilitating the discussions.
“We do not dismiss the possibility of agreeing on a new ceasefire during these negotiations,” Mr. Putin added in his address from the Kremlin.
However, he accused Ukraine’s Western supporters of wishing to “perpetuate the war with Russia” and criticized European “ultimatums” and “anti-Russian rhetoric” without referencing the specific 30-day ceasefire proposal.
Returning from Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his expectation that Russia would agree to the ceasefire “without conditions.”
“Negations cannot take place while weapons are in play,” he stated on social media.
US President Donald Trump remarked that it could be “a potentially great day for both Russia and Ukraine” and pledged to collaborate with both parties to halt the fighting.
Kyiv further accused Moscow of launching over 100 drones at Ukraine after a Russian-declared 72-hour ceasefire expired at midnight yesterday.
Kyiv did not report any drone strikes since Thursday, when the ceasefire initiated; however, it accused Moscow of violating the truce multiple times.
Russia, in turn, alleged that Ukraine failed to adhere to the ceasefire.
“On the night of May 11 (from 2 AM), the enemy launched 108 Shahed attack drones along with various imitation drones,” the Ukrainian air force reported, adding that they had intercepted 60 of them.
Read more: Kremlin evaluates proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine
