Russian President Vladimir Putin has reopened the door to direct negotiations with Ukraine, proposing to resume stalled peace talks without any preconditions, even as Kiev and its Western backers remain cautious and demand more concessions. The proposal, announced on May 11 after a series of high-profile diplomatic meetings in Moscow, represents one of the most significant moves toward potential de-escalation since the conflict’s dramatic escalation in 2022.

Speaking to the media on May 11, Putin offered Ukraine a renewed opportunity to return to the negotiating table in Istanbul – the city where preliminary peace talks were last held more than two years ago. The Russian leader emphasized that Moscow is prepared to begin discussions “without any preconditions,” inviting Kiev to participate in the talks as early as May 15.

“We propose that the Kiev authorities resume the negotiations they interrupted in 2022 – to resume direct negotiations, and I emphasize, without any preconditions,” Putin stated. “We propose to start without delay next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul.”

The Russian president suggested that the negotiations could potentially yield agreements on ceasefires or even a broader cessation of hostilities, stressing that any deal must be real and respected by both sides – a veiled criticism of Ukraine’s past conduct during previous truces.

Putin’s renewed offer comes against the backdrop of repeated failures to maintain ceasefires. He accused Ukraine of violating three recent truce efforts: the US-brokered 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, the Easter ceasefire, and the short-lived Victory Day ceasefire that expired on May........

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