Putin calls for ‘direct conversations’ between Moscow and Kyiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for “direct conversations” with Ukraine and says that they “have to start without delay, already in May 15”.

“We are looking for serious conversations … to remove the root causes of the conflict and start on the way to a lasting, strong peace,” he said on Saturday in a rare on television on television late at night of the Kremlin.

It comes hours after European leaders – including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron – visited Ukraine and encouraged Russia to agree with an unconditional cease – the 30 -day -fires.

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow “should think this” – but warned that “trying to put us under pressure is pretty useless”.

In his statement, Putin said that he “would not exclude” that in the course of the conversations – which he proposed should be done in the capital of Turkey, Istanbul – Russia and Ukraine “, it is able to agree new – the fires, a new ceasefire”.

The Russian leader said he would speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday to discuss the details.

KYIV has not commented on Putin’s proposal.

Earlier on Saturday, European leaders traveled to the Ukrainian capital and called Moscow to agree with a monthly ceasefire with Ukraine, from Monday.

The call was published during a meeting of the so -called “Coalition of the Willing”, with the leaders of France, Germany, the UK and Poles that stand next to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zenskyy.

They made the announcement after discussing the plan, by telephone, with US President Donald Trump -who initially ceases an unconditional -the fire. The leaders threatened Russia with “massive” sanctions if it did not suffice.

In response, the Kremlin said that it was considering the proposal, but would not respond to pressure.

After the meeting, Sir Keir said: “All calling the US here (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. If he is serious about peace, he has the chance to show it.”

Zelensky added: “Thank you all that you are with us. Today we will concentrate on building and guaranteeing real and lasting security.”

Hours later Putin made his own statement, with video that journalists showed composed in a hall in the Kremlin.

“This would be the first step in the direction of a long -term, permanent peace, instead of a prologue for more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian forces have received new armament and staff, after feverish channel and the creation of new commandosts,” he said.

“Who needs peace?”

Putin also accused Ukraine that he could not have responded repeatedly to three cease -Fires of Moscow – A cessation of 30 days when attacking on energy infrastructurethe Easter trucks and one Staked the fires ordered last month by Putin To coincide with the commemorations of the Second World War last week.

Ukraine has previously said that Russian attacks continued during these periods. Russia has made similar claims about Ukraine.

“Despite everything, we offer the KYIV authorities to resume negotiations … resume direct conversations, and I emphasize, without any conditions,” Putin said on Saturday evening.

The last direct conversations between Moscow and Kyiv happened shortly after the entire invasion of Russia in Ukraine started more than three years ago.