Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to hold peace talks in Istanbul on May 15. However, Zelensky made it clear that Moscow must first commit to a 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday, May 12. This announcement marks a significant shift in rhetoric, with the Ukrainian leader describing Russia’s proposal for direct peace negotiations as a “positive sign.”
The meeting in Istanbul comes after more than three years of war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since that time, direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been nonexistent.
The last round of negotiations took place in March 2022, also in Istanbul, where the two sides attempted to reach a peace agreement that ultimately collapsed. That deal would have required Ukraine to adopt a neutral stance and abandon its aspirations of joining NATO, but the situation has since deteriorated further.
Zelensky noted that the ongoing war has caused immense destruction, claiming tens of thousands of lives and severely damaging Ukrainian cities.
Moreover, Russia now controls about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory and has annexed four Ukrainian regions, alongside its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Despite the heavy toll of the conflict, Zelensky has signaled some hope for de-escalation, stating, “There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day.”
In his social media post, Zelensky stressed the importance of a ceasefire, calling it the first step toward ending the violence. “We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire — full, lasting and reliable,” he said, adding that Ukraine was ready to meet and discuss the peace process.
He also praised Russia for what he considered a shift in tone, acknowledging that Moscow had started considering an end to the war. “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war,” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his readiness to host the peace talks and has conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that a “window of opportunity” for peace has opened.
This could signal a crucial moment for peace talks after years of stagnation in diplomatic efforts. Erdogan’s support is important, as Turkey has maintained its role as a key mediator in this conflict, which has deeply divided East and West.
Zelensky’s announcement comes amid ongoing pressure from Ukraine’s Western allies, who are calling for a ceasefire. On a visit to Kyiv last weekend, the leaders of France, the UK, Germany, and Poland, supported by US President Donald Trump, urged Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire to pave the way for peace talks. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, also reiterated that Kyiv would only proceed with negotiations if Russia agreed to the ceasefire from May 12.
“A ceasefire is the first step towards ending the war, and it will confirm Russia’s readiness to end the killing,” Yermak stated. Despite the optimism surrounding the peace talks, it is uncertain whether Moscow will comply with the demand for a ceasefire. Russia has continued to launch deadly attacks on Ukraine, including a series of strikes this spring, which raises doubts about Moscow’s commitment to a lasting peace agreement.
