Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 12 (Xinhua) Russian President Putin proposed to restart the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine unconditionally in the early morning of the 11th local time, saying that some new ceasefire proposals may be reached during the negotiations. Subsequently, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Ukraine hopes that Russia and Ukraine will achieve a comprehensive and protracted ceasefire from the 12th, and he will "wait" for Putin in Türkiye on the 15th.

  Zelensky: Willing to negotiate but looking forward to a ceasefire

  Ukrainian President Zelensky posted on social media on the evening of the 11th that Ukraine hopes that Russia and Ukraine will achieve a comprehensive and protracted ceasefire from the 12th, and he will "wait" for Russian President Putin to the talks in Turkey.

  On October 17, 2024, Ukrainian President Zelensky attended a press conference at the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Dingzhe

  Putin issued a statement to the media in the early morning of the 11th, proposing that Russia and Ukraine unconditionally restart direct negotiations in Istanbul, Türkiye on the 15th.

  In response, Zelensky posted a message on social media on the morning of the 11th that Russia's consideration of ending the war is a "positive signal" and he looks forward to Russia confirming the implementation of a comprehensive, lasting and reliable ceasefire. Ukraine is willing to hold talks from the 12th. Earlier, Ukraine said it was preparing to implement a comprehensive unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days from the 12th.

  Putin: New ceasefire agreement may be reached during negotiations

  Putin issued a statement to the media in the early morning of the 11th local time, proposing that Russia and Ukraine unconditionally restart direct negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey on the 15th.

  Putin said that Russia proposed to restart the negotiations interrupted in 2022 without any prerequisites. Russia's proposals on negotiations have been put on the table, and the decision is in the hands of Ukraine. Russia is preparing to hold serious negotiations with Ukraine, aiming to eliminate the root causes of conflict and strive to build a long-term and lasting peace that is oriented towards history and the future. Russia has repeatedly proposed a ceasefire proposal and has never refused to engage in dialogue with Ukraine.

  Putin said there may be an agreement on some new ceasefire proposals during the negotiations.

  On May 11, Russian President Putin held a press conference at the Kremlin in Moscow. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Kai

  Russian President's press secretary Peskov said on a Russian TV program on the 11th that Putin proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine, demonstrating Russia's willingness to seek a peaceful solution.

  Peskov stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved by conducting serious negotiations.

  Regarding Zelensky's remarks that ceasefire should be first and then negotiated, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zakharova commented on the 11th that Putin advocated that negotiations should be conducted on the root causes of the conflict before discussing the ceasefire issue. Miroshnik, ambassador of the Russian Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Zelensky's request for the ceasefire was only to give the Ukrainian army time to re-arm and assemble, which is inconsistent with Ukrainian statements about "willing to start negotiations unconditionally."

  Turkish President: Willing to host the Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations

  The News Bureau of the Turkish Presidential Office issued a statement on the 11th saying that Turkish President Erdogan had a phone call with Putin on the same day, saying that Türkiye is willing to host the Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations.

  Erdogan welcomed Putin's proposal to restart Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey, and said Türkiye is ready to host the negotiations. He stressed that the window of opportunity for peace has been opened and a full ceasefire will create the necessary conditions for peace talks.

  According to the news released on the Russian President's website on the 11th, Putin spoke with Erdogan on the same day and discussed in detail the proposal to restart Russia-Ukraine-North Korea negotiations in Istanbul on the 15th. Erdogan expressed his full support for Russia's proposal, emphasizing that Turkey is willing to use Istanbul as a place of negotiations.

  In addition, the Turkish Presidential Office News Bureau issued another statement on the 11th saying that Erdogan had a phone call with French President Macron on the same day, saying that Türkiye was willing to host the Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations.

  On April 10, a vehicle carrying a U.S. representative drove away from the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul in Istanbul. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Lei

  Macron told the media when he arrived in Poland on the same day that Putin's proposal to resume direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine "is just the first step, but it is not enough."

  Macron said that Ukraine and European allies have proposed an "unconditional ceasefire" to Russia, and Russia and Ukraine should first have an unconditional ceasefire before negotiations. (Reporter: Li Dongxu, Huanghe, Li Zhenbei)

[Editor in charge: Liu Yang]