US President Donald Trump on Sunday welcomed what he described as a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine,” after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed restarting peace talks with Kyiv amid renewed international pressure for a ceasefire.Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never-ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end. It will be a whole new, and much better, world.” He added, “I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A big week upcoming!”Trump’s statement followed Putin’s announcement that Russia was ready to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, “without preconditions”, in response to calls for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Kyiv and its European allies.Putin said Sunday he was committed to “serious negotiations” and was in contact with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to facilitate the talks. However, he stressed that a truce must lead to a “lasting peace” rather than provide Ukraine time to regroup militarily.While Trump claimed he would “continue to work with both sides,” European leaders voiced cautious optimism. While addressing reporters, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin’s proposal “a first step, but not enough,” warning that Russia could be “looking for a way out” while trying to “buy time,”.European powers, including France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint call for a ceasefire to begin Monday, warning of further sanctions if Moscow does not comply. The proposal was also discussed with Trump in a phone call earlier Saturday.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, standing alongside European leaders in Kyiv, called their visit a “very important signal” and reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for talks, but only after a complete halt in hostilities.“An unconditional ceasefire by definition cannot be subject to any conditions,” read a joint statement released by Zelenskyy’s office. “If Russia calls for such conditions, this can only be considered as an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.”Despite diplomatic efforts, Russian attacks have continued. Over the weekend, shelling killed several civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kherson regions, according to local authorities. The US Embassy in Kyiv also warned of a “potentially significant” Russian strike in the coming days.Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt Gen Keith Kellogg, described the proposed ceasefire as “comprehensive,” covering land, air, sea, and infrastructure, and a possible gateway to ending “the largest and longest war in Europe since World War II.”Although Trump has previously expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to end the war, he now claims that “very high level talks” between Russia and Ukraine are “very close to a deal.”
