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Putin proposes direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul
The Russian President declared readiness for negotiations without preconditions, referring to the conflict for the first time as “war” instead of a “special military operation.”
On the night of May 10–11, Russian President Vladimir Putin held an emergency briefing at the Kremlin, which started with a delay of one and a half hours. For the first time since the start of the conflict, the Russian head of state officially referred to the fighting in Ukraine as a “war.” The main focus of the speech was a proposal to resume negotiations with Ukraine without preconditions. The suggested date for the meeting is May 15, with Istanbul as the venue.
Putin stated that Russia is ready to start negotiations with Kyiv under the mediation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He outlined the reasons why, according to Moscow, previous negotiation attempts failed. In particular, the Russian leader accused Ukraine of disrupting talks in 2022 and noted that Russia had declared unilateral ceasefires three times, to which Kyiv did not respond.
Putin added that on May 9, Victory Day, Russia once again allowed a ceasefire opportunity, but in return, strikes on Russian border regions were recorded. He emphasized that despite these circumstances, Moscow is ready to start negotiations from scratch, relying on Turkey’s mediation efforts.
The briefing took place at the Kremlin press center in the presence of representatives of leading international media outlets, including BBC, CNN, and NBC. The statement caused a wide resonance and became a subject of discussion in diplomatic circles.
As of the time of publication, Ukraine has not officially commented on the offer to resume negotiations. International observers note that if Kyiv agrees, it could be the first serious step toward a potential ceasefire in a long time. However, experts also point to the deep differences between the two sides, which could complicate reaching agreements.
Putin’s proposal came unexpectedly, considering that previously Russian authorities avoided using the term “war,” preferring “special military operation.” The change in rhetoric may signal an attempt to demonstrate readiness for diplomatic steps amid the ongoing conflict.
If they take place, the upcoming talks will be held under heightened international scrutiny. Hosting the meeting in Istanbul under Turkey’s auspices underscores Ankara’s role as one of the few international mediators maintaining contact with both sides.
Earlier, negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives were also held in Istanbul in 2022, but no final agreements were signed. If a new round of talks begins, the agenda is expected to include a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, infrastructure restoration, and civilian security.
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