“We expect Russia to confirm the suspension of weapons – full, durable and reliable – from tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to agree,” wrote Zelanski in social media.
This is a response to Putin's words, who on Saturday to Sunday, during a meeting with journalists, declared Russia's readiness to negotiate with Ukraine “without any preliminary conditions” and proposed their resumption on May 15 in Istanbul.
Zełenski: This is the first step
Zełenski estimated that Russia's reaction may mean a breakthrough in a conflict that has been ongoing for over two years: “This is a positive signal that the Russians have finally started to consider the end of the war. The whole world has been waiting for it for a long time. The first step to the real end of the war is the suspension of weapons.”
“It makes no sense to continue killing for one day,” added the President of Ukraine, expressing the hope that the Russian declaration will translate into specific actions.
In his speech, Putin did not rule out the conclusion of a weapon suspension agreement during planned talks with Kiev. He also emphasized that the decision to take a dialogue now belongs to the Ukrainian authorities.
