Shorouk Express
Despite his optimism, Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine will accept peace talks only if Russia agrees to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump also hailed the developments as “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine,” arguing that it might lead to “hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved.”
In a televised statement from the Kremlin early Sunday, Putin suggested holding negotiations with Ukraine for the first time since the early stages of the conflict, which the Russian leader started with an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv,” Putin said. “Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed that he is ready to host the peace talks in a telephone call with Putin, according to statements by the Turkish government and Russia’s foreign ministry.
Putin’s remarks come after the leaders of Germany, France, Poland and the U.K. — with U.S. backing — increased the pressure on Russia, warning of further sanctions on Russia if Moscow does not take steps to end the war. They backed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday after a joint visit to Kyiv on Saturday.
