**Ukraine Awaits Russia’s Confirmation of Ceasefire, Ready to Meet**
In a statement on May 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his country expects Russia to confirm a full and lasting ceasefire starting from May 12. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Ukraine to direct talks in Istanbul next week.
Zelensky emphasized that a ceasefire is the essential first step towards ending the war. He stated, “Everyone in the world has long awaited this. And the first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.” The Ukrainian leader also expressed his readiness for negotiations, saying, “We expect Russia to confirm a full, durable, and reliable ceasefire starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet.”
However, Putin’s proposal for direct talks comes with conditions. He has rejected the broader, U.S.-and EU-backed 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed earlier this month. Instead, he accused Ukraine of violating a three-day ceasefire declared by Moscow for Victory Day commemorations on May 8-11.
The temporary truce expired on Saturday, and Ukrainian officials reported that Russian attacks continued throughout the ceasefire period. This development raises questions about Russia’s true intentions behind its proposal for direct talks.
**A History of Broken Promises**
This is not the first time Russia has proclaimed its readiness for peace talks while pushing for maximalist demands. In March, Moscow rejected a U.S.-backed 30-day unconditional ceasefire, demanding an end to Western military support for Ukraine. Since then, Russia has continued to intensify its attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.
Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as propaganda stunts, citing the lack of meaningful concessions from Moscow. It remains to be seen whether Putin’s latest proposal is a genuine effort towards peace or another attempt to gain leverage in negotiations.
**What’s Next?**
As Ukraine awaits Russia’s confirmation of a full ceasefire, one thing is clear: a lasting truce will require meaningful concessions from both sides. The international community must continue to pressure Moscow to abandon its maximalist demands and engage in genuine negotiations with Kyiv.
The world watches closely as the conflict enters a new phase. Will Putin follow through on his promise for direct talks, or will we see another instance of broken promises? Only time will tell.
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