Dossier photo: American president Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump praised what he described on Sunday as a “potentially formidable day for Russia and Ukraine”, after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to restart peace talks with Kyiv in the midst of the renewed international pressure for a ceasefire.Publishing on Truth Social, wrote Trump: “Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved like this endless” bloodbath “will end. It will be a whole new and much better.” He added: “I will continue to work with both parties to make sure it happens. The United States rather wants to focus on reconstruction and trade. A big week to come! ”Trump’s statement followed Putin’s announcement that Russia was ready to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, “without prerequisites”, in response to calls for an unconditional ceasefire of 30 days in kyiv and its European allies.Putin said on Sunday that he was engaged in “serious negotiations” and was in contact with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to facilitate talks. However, he stressed that a truce was to lead to a “lasting peace” rather than providing Ukrainian time to regroup militarily.While Trump said that he “would continue to work with both parties”, European leaders have expressed cautious optimism. While addressing journalists, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin’s proposal “a first step, but not enough”, warning that Russia could “look for a way out” while trying to “buy time”.The European powers, including France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, launched a joint appeal for a cease-fire to start on Monday, warning new sanctions if Moscow does not comply. The proposal was also discussed with Trump during a phone call earlier on Saturday.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside the European leaders of kyiv, described their visit as a “very important signal” and reiterated the preparation of Ukraine for talks, but only after a complete stop of hostilities.“An unconditional ceasefire by definition cannot be subject to any condition,” read a joint declaration published by the Zelenskyy office. “If Russia calls for such conditions, this can only be considered an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.”Despite diplomatic efforts, Russian attacks continued. During the weekend, Shelling killed several civilians in the Sumy and Kherson regions of Ukraine, according to local authorities. The United States Embassy in kyiv also warned of a “potentially significant” Russian strike in the coming days.Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy in Ukraine, Lieutenant-Général, retired Keith Kellogg, described the ceasefire proposed as “complete”, covering the land, the air, the sea and the infrastructure, and a possible gateway to put an end to “the largest and longest war in Europe since the Second World War”.Although Trump previously expressed doubts about Putin’s desire to end the war, he now says that “very high level talks” between Russia and Ukraine are “very close to an agreement”.
