Putin Shoots Back: Proposes Talks with Kyiv in Istanbul, Runs Over Ukraine's 30-Day Ceasefire Demand
Dialogue Initiation with Kiev through Direct Conversations Proposed by Putin
In a bold move, Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin's iron-fisted ruler, throws down the gauntlet, challenging Ukraine to face him in Istanbul for negotiations no later than May 15.While Ukraine and its allies have been griping for a 30-day armistice, Putin's not playing the peace-loving teddy bear. He's all business, throwing overboard the peacefest call and sticking to his guns: no preconditions.
Addressing a horde of journalists in the Kremlin on Sunday evening, Putin confirmed his resolve for "serious, no-ifs-no-buts negotiations" in Istanbul, setting the Stage 1 kickoff date as next Thursday. Putin declared that this diplomatic dogfight aims to tackle the deep-rooted issues at the heart of the conflict, adding that a new ceasefire could potentially be on the cards if agreement is reached.
All the while, Ukraine and its European cronies, joined by US Prez Donald Trump, have been barking for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, and hinted that seized economic liberties could be on the menu if Russia plays truant. As for ol' Vlad, he clearly dodged Ukraine's 30-day ceasefire ultimatum like a Russian torpedo darting through choppy waters. Instead, Putin took a swipe at Ukraine, claiming that it was not Russia, but Kyiv, that squandered the negotiations in 2022.
Fast forward to current climes, and Putin can't seem to break his cold, Mt. Rushmore-sized grin. "Our proposal is still on the table," he quipped, implying the decision is now in Kyiv's hands - and the hands of their meddling masters. Putin looks set to meet with Turkish Prez Recep Tayyip Erdogan before crunch time tickles midnight.
**Politics: Medvedev: "Speak Peaceful or Choke on It"**
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side's Western backing has been left imagining what might have been, if only there had been a Gandhi-like figure in the Kremlin. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, echoing Putin's fiery rhetoric, told an obscure media outlet, "Shove your peace plans up where the sun doesn't shine."
Politics: Macron: The East Unites, USA to Keep an Eye on Ukraine Hostilities
Russia's latest ceasefire bait flew over Ukraine's head, with the Ukrainian side snubbing Putin's offer of a temporary truce in celebration of the parade commemorating World War II victory. As fighting continued, both sides blamed the other for the eyeball-popping violence.
In other news, the Kremlin is said to be considering the idea of a 30-day ceasefire, according to Russian state media, which cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. However, Peskov also made it known that it would be pointless to exert pressure on Russia. With over three years of Ukraine under its belt, Russia currently holds about a fifth of its land, including the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized in 2014.source.
- Attack on Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin
- Ukraine
- Ceasefire
- Despite Ukrainian and Western demands for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Vladimir Putin has proposed a new round of negotiations in Istanbul, withoutpreconditions, and has stated that a new ceasefire could potentially be discussed if an agreement is reached.
- In the midst of ongoing war-and-conflicts, Russia has been reported to be considering the idea of a 30-day ceasefire, although Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that it would be pointless to exert pressure on Russia.
- In a bold move, Putin has challenged Ukraine to face him in Istanbul for negotiations, setting a Stage 1 kickoff date as next Thursday, while Ukraine and its allies have been demanding a 30-day armistice.
- As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Putin has proposed talks with Kyiv in Istanbul, dismissing Ukraine's 30-day ceasefire ultimatum and claiming that it was Kyiv, not Russia, that squandered the negotiations in 2022.
