Zelenskyy welcomes Putin's offer of direct peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday
發佈日期: 2025-05-11 22:01
TVB News
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he welcomes Russia's offer for direct peace talks and has called Vladimir Putin's ceasefire proposal "positive."
The Russian leader has invited Ukraine to "direct talks without preconditions" in Istanbul on Thursday but Zelenskyy wants a stop to attacks before agreeing to attend.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy "pleased" with what he termed "Russia engaging to find an end to the war" but suggesting he wants a ceasefire before talks.
The Ukrainian president posting "that the entire world's been waiting for this for a very long time and the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire."
"There is no point in continuing the killing," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire -- full, lasting and reliable starting tomorrow and Ukraine is ready to meet.
A good evening from Vladimir Putin ahead of the late night statement which prompted Zelenskyy's remarks on X.
The Russian president calling for "serious negotiations" with Ukraine without preconditions in Istanbul on Thursday where "negotiations were held before."
Putin referencing unsuccessful talks in the same city at the start of the war in 2022.
Using paper notes for reference, Putin continued: A truce is possible.
Putin then spoke of possible sustainable peace, and argued against a prolonged war which would see the "replenishment" of Ukraine's army.
Putin saying before Zelenskyy's social media message, it's up to Ukraine "and their curators."
This appeared to mean the European leaders who travelled to Kyiv.
The French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK and Polish prime ministers Keir Starmer and Donald Tusk stood with Zelenskyy under the banner of the "Coalition of the Willing."
A joint statement from the nations called for an increase in pressure on Putin.
More sanctions would be imposed on Moscow unless there is a 30-day land, air and sea ceasefire.
If Putin does not agree, these leaders were clear they will strengthen their position.
French President EMMANUEL MACRON said:"You are on the right side of history because you protect your sovereignty, your territory and in doing so you are at the forefront of the protection of the whole European territory and what we build after the Second World War."
FREIDRICH MERZ,Chancellor of Germany said:"Putin's goal is to procrastinate and not make substantive concessions. It is therefore essential that we keep the United States on board and convince President Trump Ukraine is not the problem, it is extremely constructive. It is Russia that does not move unless we increase pressure."
This "pressure" may have prompted the Russian response from Putin and his offer of "direct talks' in Istanbul.
Putin finished by thanking "foreign partners," naming China, Brazil, countries of Africa, the Middle East, and the new administration of the U.S.
Putin leaving without any mention of the "Coalition of the Willing" or a 30-day ceasefire.
