**Russia Hints at Peace Talks with Ukraine, But Timing Remains Unclear**
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russia is preparing for peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but the timing of these negotiations remains uncertain. According to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow will announce its representative for the expected talks once Putin deems it necessary.
The invitation to meet in Turkey was extended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who hopes to launch direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. However, the Kremlin has not confirmed whether Putin will attend the meeting himself or send a lower-ranking official.
**Ukraine Stands Firm on Meeting Only with Putin**
The Ukrainian Presidential Office has made it clear that President Zelensky is only willing to meet with Russian President Putin in Turkey. This stance is based on the understanding that only Putin can make fundamental decisions about the war between Ukraine and Russia. Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak has stated that while Putin might delegate technical and preparatory stages, he is ultimately responsible for making key decisions.
In a statement, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Yermak, emphasized that “only Putin can make a decision to continue the war or stop the war.” This position highlights Ukraine’s determination to engage with Russia on a leadership level and avoid compromising on its core demands.
**US President Trump Shows Support for Peace Talks**
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin, suggesting that he might attend as well. Trump believes that good things can come from these talks and has strongly pushed for them to happen. However, Ukraine has not yet confirmed whether it would welcome Trump’s presence at the negotiations.
**Ceasefire Proposal Ignored by Russia**
Ukraine and its European allies have called for an unconditional ceasefire starting on May 12 as a first step towards peace. Unfortunately, this proposal has been ignored by Russia, which continues to launch attacks on Ukraine despite international pressure to cease hostilities.
The last direct face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelensky took place in 2019 in Paris during a Normandy Format summit. Since then, there have been no direct in-person meetings between the two leaders. The success of these upcoming talks will depend on Russia’s willingness to engage in good-faith negotiations and recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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