**Ukraine and Russia Agree to Peace Talks in Istanbul**
In a major development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to hold peace talks in Istanbul on May 15. This comes after months of diplomatic efforts by the international community to bring an end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
**US President Donald Trump Optimistic About Peace Talks**
US President Donald Trump expressed his optimism about the upcoming peace talks, saying that he had “strongly pushed” for them to take place. He also suggested that the meeting could yield a “good result.” Zelensky welcomed the possibility of Trump attending the meeting in Turkey, calling it “the right idea.”
**Russia Rejects Immediate Ceasefire**
However, Russia has rejected an immediate ceasefire, instead suggesting direct peace talks be held in Istanbul beginning May 15. The Kremlin has not formally responded to Zelensky’s statement that he is ready to meet Putin in person.
**Ukraine Ready for All Options**
Despite Russia’s reluctance, Ukraine appears to be ready for all options. A source close to the president said, “We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire.” This suggests that Ukraine is willing to hold peace talks even if Russia does not agree to an immediate ceasefire.
**Germany Issues Ultimatum to Moscow**
Meanwhile, Germany has issued an ultimatum to Moscow, giving Russia until May 12 to accept the ceasefire or face new sanctions. The German government spokesperson said, “The clock is ticking — we still have 12 hours until the end of this day.” However, the Kremlin rejected this move, calling it an “unacceptable” ultimatum.
**Last Face-to-Face Meeting in 2019**
This marks the first time since 2019 that Putin and Zelensky will hold a face-to-face meeting. Their last meeting took place during a Normandy Format summit in Paris in 2019.
**Commentary**
The upcoming peace talks in Istanbul are a significant development in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. While Trump’s optimism about the outcome is welcome, it remains to be seen whether Russia will agree to a ceasefire or any meaningful concessions. The international community’s efforts to bring an end to this devastating conflict have been ongoing for months, and this latest development marks a crucial step towards finding a resolution.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
