Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct consultations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15th. Al Jazeera reported that “no prerequisite” to achieve “endless peace” and “eliminate the root cause” of the three-year conflict.
The offer, delivered early on Sunday, comes hours after leaders from Ukraine, France, Germany, Poland and the UK called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Leaders who met in Kiev said their calls were supported by President Donald Trump and threatened new “massive” sanctions against Moscow if they disagree with their plans.
However, Putin rejected the proposal and outlined the replacement of the Russian Ukraine renewal after denounced Europe’s “ultimate” and “anti-Russian rhetoric.”
“We are proposing that Kyiv will resume direct negotiations without prerequisites,” the Russian president told reporters. “We are offering Kiev authorities to resume negotiations on Thursday in Istanbul.”
Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan told Russian and French leaders on Sunday that he had reached a “historic turning point” in an effort to end the Russian-Ukraine war, and that Ankara is ready to host consultations between the two fighting parties.