Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for an unconditional ceasefire from Russia to help move forward with peace talks. Speaking at a press conference alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Sybiha expressed Ukraine’s desire to see discussions continue, emphasizing that ending the war this year is a priority.
While the talks on Monday will not include Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Turkey hopes to eventually host a high-level summit involving key leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. Fidan stated, "We sincerely think it is time to bring President Trump, President Putin, and President Zelensky to the table."
Russian officials have indicated that they will not publicly share their ceasefire proposals. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that a high-level summit would only be considered if preliminary discussions yield meaningful progress.
Retired General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, supported Russia’s concerns about NATO expansion, calling them "fair." He noted that Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO are currently off the table. Kellogg also shared Trump’s frustration with Russia’s unwillingness to negotiate, but he stressed the importance of keeping dialogue open.
On May 19, Trump and Putin had a phone call to discuss a ceasefire proposal. Trump reported that the conversation went well and expressed hope that negotiations would soon begin to halt the fighting. While Ukraine has publicly agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Putin’s response has been more cautious, suggesting Russia would work on a "memorandum" for future peace, which Kyiv and its allies view as a stalling tactic.
In a recent development, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz informed Zelensky that Germany would assist Ukraine in producing long-range missiles to bolster its defense against Russian attacks. The Kremlin responded by warning that lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s missile capabilities would complicate efforts to end the conflict.
As the situation unfolds, both sides remain engaged in a complex dance of diplomacy, with the hope that meaningful talks can lead to a lasting peace.