Russian President Proposes Direct Peace Talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15

The current situation in Ukraine-Russia relations appears to be in a state of flux, with various actors proposing different solutions to the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized the need for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct talks in Istanbul, with no preconditions. However, there is a discrepancy between the two sides on the terms of the proposed ceasefire. While Putin's proposal mentions a 30-day ceasefire, it is unclear if he is willing to accept an unconditional ceasefire as demanded by Ukraine and its European allies. There are also some discrepancies in the articles regarding the exact date for the proposed ceasefire. While some articles mention that the ceasefire is set to start on Monday, others mention that it is to start on Thursday. This discrepancy may be due to the fact that the proposals are still being negotiated and finalized. It is worth noting that the Russian President Putin has not met with the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy since December 2019, and this proposed meeting is a significant development in the conflict. However, the exact nature and terms of the proposed talks remain unclear. Donald Trump, who has been a supporter of Putin's actions, has also weighed in on the situation, with his special envoy to Ukraine, Gen Keith Kellogg, expressing support for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Overall, the situation in Ukraine-Russia relations remains complex and dynamic, with various actors proposing different solutions to the conflict.