May. 12 at 1:37 AM
Moscow & Kyiv could engage in direct talks in Istanbul next week, marking the potential for a significant turning point since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
This comes after Russian President Putin turned down an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposal drafted Saturday, May 10, by the leaders of 4 European nations (UK, France, Germany & Poland) in conjunction w/ Ukrainian President Zelenskyy & endorsed by the US, Canada & 24 other nations forming the "Coalition of the Willing"
In a statement for Russian media that Putin read out around 2 am local time Sunday, May 11, he rejected the proposal & instead suggested that the 2 countries should engage in direct talks “without preconditions.”
However, Putin also stipulated any agreement needs to ensure a “lasting peace” that doesn’t allow Ukraine to rearm or build up its military forces.
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