**Putin Calls for Talks with Ukraine, but Conditions Remain Unclear**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suddenly called for direct talks with Ukraine. In a rare televised address from the Kremlin on Saturday night, he said that negotiations should start “without delay” as early as May 15th.
This sudden shift in stance comes just hours after European leaders visited Ukraine and urged Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron were among those who met with Ukrainian officials and called on Moscow to end the fighting.
**What Does This Mean for the Conflict?**
While Putin’s call for talks is a significant development, it remains unclear what he hopes to achieve through these negotiations. Ukraine has been seeking a full withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, but Russia has not yet indicated that it is willing to agree to this.
In his address, Putin spoke about “serious talks” aimed at removing the root causes of the conflict and moving towards a lasting peace. However, many experts are skeptical about Russia’s intentions, given its ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
**Russian Conditions Remain Unclear**
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had earlier dismissed the idea of an unconditional ceasefire as “quite useless”. This suggests that Russia may be looking for some concessions from Ukraine before agreeing to negotiate.
As the international community continues to pressure Russia to end its aggression, it remains to be seen whether Putin’s call for talks will lead to a meaningful resolution to this devastating conflict.
