Putin claims he wants peace but refuses to stop bombing Ukraine

 

Is This the Moment the World Has Been Waiting For? Hopes Rise for Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine

Global attention is now fixed on the possibility of a major diplomatic breakthrough as hopes grow for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested a willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Ukrainian representatives—possibly as early as Thursday—in what could be the most significant step toward ending the war in over three years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his country's readiness to engage in dialogue following a Russian proposal for talks in Istanbul. However, he stressed that any discussions must be preceded by a full, temporary ceasefire—something Putin has yet to guarantee. The Russian leader rejected calls from European leaders for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, instead proposing talks without any preconditions.

Putin claimed that Russia is seeking “serious negotiations” to move toward a “lasting and strong peace,” but did not commit to halting military operations during talks. Zelensky called the Russian offer a “positive sign,” though he warned: “There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire—full, lasting, and reliable.”

European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, met with Zelensky in Kyiv to push for a 30-day ceasefire. They were joined in their call by U.S. President Donald Trump, who described the potential talks as a “potentially great day” for both countries, emphasizing the urgent need to end the bloodshed.

Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, described the Russian proposal as “very serious,” saying the goal is to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure Russia’s national interests. However, trust remains low. Just hours after Russia extended its offer for negotiations, Ukrainian cities were hit by a wave of drone attacks.

Moscow declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10 to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany, but both sides accused each other of repeated violations. Russia alleged Ukraine breached the truce over 14,000 times, while Ukraine reported more than 100 drone attacks during the same period.

Peace efforts are further complicated by long-standing disagreements. Kyiv refuses to cede any territory to Russia, including Crimea, and insists that peace must respect Ukraine's sovereignty. Moscow, meanwhile, seeks guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO.

A previous attempt at peace negotiations in Istanbul in 2022 collapsed, with each side blaming the other. At the time, a proposed deal reportedly included Ukrainian neutrality in exchange for security assurances.

In a symbolic moment of unity, newly elected Pope Leo XIV made his first public appeal for peace during a Sunday address at the Vatican. “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said. “May all prisoners be freed, and children return to their families. May God grant the world the miracle of peace.”

President Zelensky also used the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 as an opportunity to rally international support for a peace settlement. Macron reiterated Europe's commitment, stating: “Ending the war in Ukraine is a goal we share with President Trump. But Putin must show he genuinely wants peace. Talks are only the first step—without a ceasefire, they are not enough.”