Putin Calls for Direct Peace Talks in Istanbul Amid Growing European Pressure

(Cabal) Leaders urge 30-day ceasefire as Russia faces renewed threats of sanctions

Putin’s Surprise Proposal

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15. Speaking from the Kremlin early Sunday, he said the talks would be held “without preconditions.”

The move comes amid growing international pressure on Moscow. On Saturday, leaders from the UK, Germany, France, and Poland met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. They proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday.

Putin’s announcement may be an attempt to regain control of the narrative. However, his proposal lacks key details. The timing also raises questions about Russia’s sincerity.

European Leaders Present United Front

In Kyiv, the European leaders issued a joint statement with Zelenskyy. They demanded a halt to all fighting—land, sea, and air—starting Monday.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the visit “a show of solidarity.” French President Emmanuel Macron warned Russia of “massive coordinated sanctions” if the truce is ignored. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly supports the ceasefire.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that the ceasefire must be unconditional. “Russia must not attach terms. Doing so only prolongs the war,” he said.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stood firmly with Ukraine. The leaders stressed the need to give diplomacy a chance.

Trump Administration Backs Ceasefire

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy, said the 30-day truce could be “the first step to ending Europe’s longest war since WWII.”

However, Trump has previously suggested Ukraine consider ceding land to Russia to reach peace. That idea has received strong backlash from Ukraine and European allies.

Still, Washington appears committed to backing the ceasefire proposal. Macron said the U.S. would lead monitoring efforts, supported by European nations.

Sanctions and Security Guarantees

If Russia rejects the ceasefire, more sanctions are ready. European leaders said these would hit energy and banking sectors.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the goal was to make war too costly for Russia. He confirmed discussions on monitoring mechanisms are underway.

Macron also mentioned security guarantees for Ukraine. These may include more weapons, investment in Ukraine’s defense industry, and possibly foreign troop deployments. NATO membership was not discussed.

Russian Response and Global Optics

Putin spent Saturday hosting foreign leaders in Moscow, trying to show Russia is not isolated. His guests included officials from Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and the Palestinian Authority.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN that Moscow would consider the ceasefire proposal. However, he blamed Kyiv for blocking talks and violating Russia’s short-lived three-day truce, which expired Saturday.

That truce, declared unilaterally by Moscow, was reportedly breached multiple times by Russian forces, according to Ukraine.

War Rages On Despite Diplomatic Push

Fighting continues across Ukraine. Russian shelling in the Sumy region killed three civilians and injured four. In Kherson, a drone attack claimed another life.

Ukraine’s military remains on high alert. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv warned of a “potentially significant” Russian air strike soon. Some speculate this could involve Russia’s hypersonic missile system.

Earlier, Moscow restricted flights over Kapustin Yar—a sign that often precedes missile launches.