Putin proposes direct talks with Ukraine as Europe issues ceasefire ultimatum

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15, 2025—just hours after European leaders visited Kyiv and demanded a 30-day ceasefire.

Ukraine has not yet responded to Putin’s invitation for what he described as “serious negotiations.”

According to the BBC, leaders from the UK, Germany, France, Poland, and Ukraine warned on Saturday that Russia would face “new and massive” sanctions if it failed to agree to the ceasefire by Monday.

In a late-night statement from the Kremlin, President Putin dismissed the ultimatum, accusing European powers of speaking to Russia in a “boorish manner” and using threats instead of diplomacy.

While he rejected the demand for an unconditional ceasefire, Putin proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul next Thursday, saying he would consult with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to facilitate the talks.

The Kremlin did not commit to the 30-day ceasefire, though Putin suggested that discussions in Istanbul could potentially lead to what he called “new ceasefires.”

The statement was delivered during an event initially expected to focus on Russia’s World War II commemorations. Putin took no questions and left immediately after his address.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the possibility of talks, calling it a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine.”

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Think of the hundreds and thousands of lives that will be saved as this never-ending bloodbath hopefully comes to an end.”

“It will be a whole new, and much better world,” he added, vowing to “continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens.”