Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for fresh, unconditional negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, pitching the move as a pathway to a lasting peace after three years of conflict. Addressing the nation from the Kremlin shortly after midnight, Putin said the talks would seek to “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” rather than merely pause hostilities for strategic regrouping. He urged Kyiv to “resume direct negotiations without any preconditions,” placing the onus on Ukrainian authorities and their Western backers to seize the opportunity for dialogue.

The proposal comes as the war, which erupted when Russia launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, has ground into a prolonged stalemate marked by heavy casualties, grinding trench warfare in the Donbas region, and mounting economic hardship on both sides. More than 500,000 soldiers and civilians are estimated to have died or been wounded since hostilities began, while cities along the front line continue to endure artillery barrages and drone attacks. Putin argued that the conflict has become a mutual drain on resources and that a direct diplomatic initiative could reset the balance.

Speaking from the Great Kremlin Palace, Putin framed his offer as a bid to address what he called the “fundamental grievances” that have fueled the confrontation. He reminded his audience of a draft agreement negotiated in early 2022 in Istanbul, under which Ukraine would have adopted permanent neutrality in exchange for binding security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. “It was not Russia that broke off negotiations,” he insisted. “It was Kyiv—encouraged by outside forces—that walked away from a deal that could have halted this tragedy.”

The announcement follows an extraordinary visit by the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom to Kyiv last week, where they joined President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in demanding an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Those European heads of state threatened “massive” new sanctions on Russia—potentially including a permanent moratorium on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline—if Putin did not accede. U.S. political figures, including former President Donald Trump, also backed the ceasefire push, framing it as a prelude to broader peace talks.

Ukraine’s response was measured. President Zelenskiy’s office, while welcoming any move toward dialogue, reiterated that sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable. Ukrainian officials have insisted that Moscow must first agree to withdraw its forces from occupied regions—including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia—before any meaningful negotiations can proceed. “We will not discuss our sovereignty or compromise on our people’s right to self-determination,” a senior Ukrainian diplomat said.

From Brussels to Washington, Western capitals greeted Putin’s overture with cautious skepticism. European Commission leaders praised the idea of talks but warned that they must not become a cover for Russia to entrench its battlefield gains. U.S. National Security Council members pointedly noted that any peace process must be led by Ukraine and not imposed by Moscow or its allies. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the proposal as “long overdue” but stressed that security guarantees cannot come at the expense of Ukraine’s right to defend itself or to choose its own alliances.

Turkey, which hosted preliminary negotiations in early 2022, was swift to offer logistical support for the possible Istanbul meeting. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has maintained warm ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, expressed readiness to facilitate the summit in Istanbul, calling it “an essential step to bring warring parties back to the table.” Turkish foreign ministry officials confirmed that security arrangements would be made to ensure both delegations could travel safely to Türkiye’s largest city.

Beyond the immediate regional context, the international community has witnessed a series of competing peace proposals, from China and Brazil’s joint six-point plan last year to the United Nations’ ongoing shuttle diplomacy in Geneva. Yet none have gained traction, hampered by divergent objectives: Kyiv demands unconditional restoration of its pre-invasion borders; Moscow seeks recognition of territorial changes; and Western governments balance support for Ukraine’s defense with a desire to avoid a broader escalation. Putin’s latest bid attempts to cut through this impasse by insisting that no terms be set in advance.

Amid these diplomatic maneuvers, the battlefield remains active. Ukrainian forces have reclaimed pockets of territory in the south, supported by Western-supplied artillery and drones, while Russia has fortified its defensive lines and launched occasional missile strikes deep inside Ukrainian-held areas. Both sides have reported intermittent ceasefire violations even during temporary truce proposals tied to religious holidays and commemorative events. Economic sanctions against Russia—targeting its oil exports, banking system and key individuals—have helped strain Moscow’s war effort but have not forced a strategic retreat.

As the clock ticks toward May 15, the viability of direct talks hinges on whether Kyiv believes negotiations can yield tangible gains without legitimizing Russian occupation. Zelenskiy has said he remains open to dialogue but only on terms that guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity and future security. Meanwhile, Moscow’s negotiators will likely press for Ukraine’s neutrality, a rollback of Western military assistance and formal recognition of territory currently under Russian control—demands Kyiv has consistently rebuffed.

If both sides do convene in Istanbul, diplomats foresee at least a preliminary agenda: establishing a framework for mutual ceasefire monitoring, reviving humanitarian corridors for civilians trapped near combat zones, and setting up working groups on prisoner exchanges and demining operations. Beyond these immediate steps, any discussion of long-term arrangements—such as security guarantees, reconstruction aid or constitutional amendments in Ukraine—could prove highly contentious. Observers caution that without a clear mechanism to enforce agreements, any accord risks collapse under renewed mistrust and resumed fighting.

As President Putin prepares to discuss the logistics with President Erdoğan later on Sunday, global eyes will be on whether this latest overture marks a genuine turning point or merely another chapter in a diplomatic saga that has so far yielded scant results. For millions of Ukrainians living under the shadow of war, the promise of peace talks in Istanbul may kindle hope—but only if those discussions move beyond rhetoric and translate into a sustainable end to hostilities.

(Adapted from AlJazeera.com)

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