Zelensky Calls Putin's Proposal a "Positive Signal"
Urges Russia to Accept Ceasefire Amid US and European Sanctions Warnings
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct talks by calling it a "positive signal" and demanded that Russia accept the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and Europe.
On May 11 (local time), President Zelensky wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "It is a positive signal that Russia has finally begun to consider ending the war," adding, "The world has been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
President Zelensky went on to say, "The first step to truly ending the war is a ceasefire. There is no point in continuing the killing for even a single day," and added, "We expect Russia to confirm a complete, sustainable, and reliable ceasefire starting from the 12th." He further stated, "Ukraine is ready to respond to this."
President Putin, under pressure from Europe and the United States, who mentioned the possibility of new sanctions against Russia and urged him to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, suddenly proposed direct talks with Ukraine on this day. President Putin suggested meeting in Istanbul, Turkiye, on the 15th, and stated that this negotiation would be a "resumption" of the talks that broke down in early 2022 at the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
In March 2022, one month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both sides sat at the negotiating table in Istanbul, Turkiye, with Turkiye mediating, focusing on Ukraine's neutrality, but failed to reach an agreement. This latest proposal for dialogue is also being met with skepticism regarding its sincerity, as it came after pressure from Europe and the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to reporters about President Putin's proposal, said, "This is a way of avoiding an answer," and pointed out, "While he appears to be moving toward negotiations, there are still signs that he is trying to buy time," according to Le Monde.
He continued, "It is unacceptable for Ukrainians to continue being bombed while negotiations are ongoing," and emphasized, "The ceasefire must be unconditional, and only after that can the rest be discussed."
In reality, after the 72-hour "Victory Day ceasefire" unilaterally declared by President Putin ended at midnight on this day, and even after President Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine, Russia resumed attacks on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force stated, "The enemy attacked with 108 Shahed drones and various types of imitation drones," and announced that 60 of them were shot down.
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