Putin wants direct conversations, proposal for Ukraine inadequate – Diepresse.com

The Ukraine and Europe react skeptically to the direct peace talks between the two war leading countries proposed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Negotiations without a preconditions should start in Istanbul on Thursday, Putin said Sunday morning in a speech broadcast from television. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskij sees the proposal as a positive sign, but insists on a ceasefire from Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the proposal as inadequate. Putin is looking for a way to get forward, but he also tries to win time, Macron said on his return trip from the Ukrainian capital Kiev in front of the press. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted on a ceasefire as a condition for negotiations. « We expect Moscow that it now agrees with an armistice that can make real conversations possible in the first place, » said Merz in Berlin. « First the weapons have to be silent, then conversations can begin. »

« Step is not enough »

« It’s a first step, but it is not enough, » criticized Macron. « Unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations. » Selenskij said on platform X that the first step in the actual termination of a war was a quick ceasefire. « We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – a complete, permanent and reliable – from tomorrow, May 12th. » The Ukrainian President also emphasized: « There is no point in continuing killing. »

Selenskijs Stabschef Andrij Jermak said on Telegram that first there must be a ceasefire, « then everything else ». Furthermore, it was said: « Russia should not disguise his wish to continue the war behind vague statements. » Andrij Kowalenko from the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine also wrote in the same trade fair service: « A complete ceasefire. Russia has to agree to something that is constantly trying to avoid. »

Türkiye and Austria ready to host

Turkey is ready to align the peace talks proposed by Russia with Ukraine. This was said by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in separate phone calls with the Russian head of state Putin and French President Macron, as Erdogan’s communication director reported. Turkey is ready to make any contribution to achieving a ceasefire and a permanent peace – including the orientation of negotiations.

The Kremlin confirmed Putin’s phone call with Erdogan. The Russian initiative to resume the negotiations was discussed in detail, it said from Moscow. As early as 2022 shortly after the start of the war, Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ultimately had unsuccessful negotiations on the end of the fighting.

The Austrian federal government also offers Vienna as a negotiating location. « Austria welcomes the current efforts to conclude peace and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The Austrian government is ready to lead the negotiations in Vienna as the seat of the UN and contribute to a fair and permanent peace in Ukraine, » wrote the Foreign Ministry in Vienna on social networks.

Putin wants negotiations without priority

« We suggest that Kiev accepts the direct negotiations without priority, » said Putin in his speech. Erdogan was immediately ready to take the role of the host. Russia wanted to talks with Ukraine to « eliminate the causes of the conflict » and « to restore long -term, permanent peace, » said Putin. It was only at midnight (11:00 p.m. CEST) that a three -day fire break arranged by Putin had expired one -sidedly.

« It was not Russia that broke off the negotiations in 2022, » said Putin, referring to failed conversations shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022. « Our proposal is on the table, the decision is now lies with the Ukrainian government and its soundmaster, which, it seems, can be guided by their personal political ambitions and not from the interests of their peoples. »

US President Donald Trump was willing to promote the peace process. « I will continue to work with both sides to make sure this is done, » he said on his Truth Social platform.

Call to 30-day ceasefire

The Europeans and the United States had pushed Russia on Saturday for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine from Monday. Merz, the British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer, Macron and the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk insisted on the fights and rejected Russian preconditions during a visit to Kiev. It is about an « unconditional » ceasefire, the quartet emphasized after consultations with Selenskij and a video choiring with heads of state and government of almost twenty other countries. Then they informed Trump by phone, who expressly supported the European approach, according to Merz and Macron.

Putin had sent thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022 and thus triggered the most difficult confrontation between Russia and the west since the Cuba crisis in 1962. In the meantime, the Russian armed forces are checking around a fifth of Ukraine and moving further. Putin had said in June 2024 that the conditions for the end of the war were that Ukraine NATOOfficially give up ambitions and have to deduct their troops from the entire area of ​​the four Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia. (APA/Reuters/dpa)