The US president has welcomed Moscow’s overture aimed toward resuming direct negotiations with Kiev
US President Donald Trump has expressed help for his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s proposal to renew direct peace talks with Ukraine, which have been on maintain since 2022. Putin earlier advised restarting negotiations in Istanbul, Türkiye subsequent week.
Trump took to Reality Social on Sunday to reward what he referred to as “a probably nice day for Russia and Ukraine! Consider the a whole bunch of 1000’s of lives that will probably be saved as this by no means ending ‘massacre’ hopefully involves an finish.”
The US, he added, “needs to focus, as a substitute, on Rebuilding and Commerce. A BIG week upcoming!”
Putin beforehand proposed resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine on Might 15 in Istanbul, the place talks had been final held in 2022. Moscow mentioned that whereas the perimeters had been making progress towards peace on the time and had reached a preliminary draft settlement, the method was derailed by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who suggested Kiev to “hold combating.” Johnson has denied the declare.
”We suggest resuming talks with none preconditions,” Putin mentioned, stressing that Russia has by no means refused dialogue. He added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his readiness to facilitate the assembly.
Responding to the Russian chief’s new proposal, French President Emmanuel Macron referred to as it “a primary step, however not sufficient” to make sure a path to peace.
Putin’s remarks got here after the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the EU floated a proposal for a 30-day “full and unconditional” ceasefire, which they claimed would “create room for diplomacy,” including that the US helps the initiative. A number of European leaders additionally threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia if it rejects the ceasefire.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has mentioned Russia must “take into consideration” the ceasefire proposal. He added that whereas Putin helps the thought of a ceasefire “usually,” “there are many questions” but to be resolved.
Moscow beforehand expressed concern that Ukraine might use a pause within the combating to regroup its battered and exhausted troops whereas persevering with pressured mobilization. Russia has additionally insisted that Western arms shipments have to be halted throughout a ceasefire.
Concerning the specter of new sanctions from EU nations, Peskov mentioned Russia is “proof against any sort of stress.”
