On Sunday night, Vladimir Putin held a press conference in which he commented on the past talks with foreign leaders and the demands of his Western colleagues for a 30-day ceasefire.
The president said that Ukraine violated the ceasefire by Victory Day, in particular, made five attempts to cross the border with Russia. According to the head of state, the possibility of extending the ceasefire was considered.
Putin suggested that Ukraine start direct negotiations without preconditions.
We propose to start without delay already next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, where they were held earlier and where they were interrupted. As you know, Turkish colleagues have repeatedly offered their services to organize such talks, and President Erdogan has done a great deal to organize them. Let me remind you that as a result of these talks, a joint draft document was prepared and initialed by the head of the Kiev negotiating group, but at the insistence of the West it was simply thrown into the basket.
Tomorrow we are scheduled to speak with the President of Turkey, Mr. Erdogan. I would like to ask him to provide such an opportunity to hold talks in Turkey. I hope that he will confirm his desire to contribute to the search for peace in Ukraine,” the president said.
