Putin offers Ukraine direct talks without preconditions

RT.com
11 May 2025, 04:29 GMT+10

The decision now rests with Kiev and its Western backers, the Russian president has said

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Kiev the opportunity to restart direct negotiations in Istanbul, which it unilaterally walked away from in 2022, despite Ukraine's failure to honor the Victory Day truce and previous de-escalation initiatives.

Addressing the press following a day of meetings with foreign heads of state visiting Moscow, President Vladimir Putin offered to restart negotiations that Kiev abandoned in 2022, shortly after the escalation of the current conflict.

"We offer Kiev the opportunity to resume the talks they abandoned - talks without preconditions, in the same place they previously took place, in Istanbul," Putin said.

"Our offer is on the table," the Russian leader added. "The choice is with Ukraine."

Earlier, on Saturday, after a meeting with European leaders in Kiev, Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky demanded that Russia agree to a complete 30-day ceasefire with no preconditions before he would agree to resume direct talks with Moscow.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

(RT.com)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Johannesburg Life.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

American climber dies on Mount Makalu during charity climb

American climber dies on world's fifth-highest peak in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal: An American climber has died on Mount Makalu in eastern Nepal while raising money for a children's cancer program,...

Trump signs order to speed up US drug plant approvals

Trump signs executive order to encourage US drug manufacturing

WASHINGTON, D.C.: This week, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to speed up the approval of drug manufacturing plants...

UN Body Accuses Israel of Systematic Torture, Sexual Violence

'World cannot remain silent,' on Gaza: UN Special Committee

AMMAN, Jordan - A United Nations investigative committee has accused Israel of inflicting unimaginable suffering on Palestinians under...

Trucker’s body found months after road collapse in Japan

Body of truck driver recovered from sinkhole in Japan

TOKYO, Japan: After nearly three months of complex recovery efforts, the body of a 74-year-old truck driver was found late last week...

Over 15,000 USDA workers take buyout offers

Over 15,000 USDA employees take Trump's financial incentive to leave

WASHINGTON, D.C.: More than 15,000 workers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have accepted offers to leave their jobs in...

Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 91, hospitalized for heart tests

Japan's retired former emperor to be hospitalized for heart tests

TOKYO, Japan: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 91, will be hospitalized for heart examinations after doctors detected a potential issue during...

Africa

Section