11.05.2025 14:00
President Erdoğan had a phone conversation with Russian President Putin. During the call, Erdoğan expressed that he was pleased with Putin's statement regarding the continuation of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, and stated that Turkey is ready to host negotiations that will lead to a lasting solution.
Russian President Putin suggested the 'resumption' of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, pointing to Turkey, while speaking to journalists at an information meeting in Moscow at midnight on May 11. Following this statement, Erdoğan held consecutive meetings with French President Macron and Russian President Putin.
CRITICAL MEETING BETWEEN ERDOĞAN AND MACRON
In a statement from the Directorate of Communications regarding Erdoğan's meeting with Macron, it was stated, "Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. In the meeting, bilateral relations between Turkey and France, as well as regional and global issues, were discussed. President Erdoğan stated that a historic turning point has been reached in the efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing the need to seize this opportunity, and expressed Turkey's readiness to provide all kinds of contributions, including hosting negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace. Our President highlighted the importance of continuing cooperation in the sensitive processes of starting permanent peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and the reconstruction of Ukraine."
ANOTHER MEETING WITH PUTIN
In a statement from the Directorate of Communications, it was noted, "Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the meeting, bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia, as well as regional and global issues, were discussed.
President Erdoğan expressed that President Putin's statement regarding the continuation of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul from where they left off was welcomed, and that Turkey is ready to host negotiations that will lead to a permanent solution.
Our President stated that a window of opportunity has opened for achieving peace, and that establishing a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary environment for peace talks."
MEETING ON MAY 15 IN TURKEY
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a press conference held yesterday in the capital Moscow, announced, "We are declaring a ceasefire for the third time in Ukraine," suggesting the resumption of unconditional direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15.
Putin emphasized Turkey's role in organizing the Russia-Ukraine negotiations and announced that he would meet with President Erdoğan in reference to this. Putin stated, "We have a meeting with President Erdoğan tomorrow. I ask him to provide such an opportunity for negotiations to be held in Turkey. I hope he confirms his willingness to contribute to the search for peace in Ukraine. We are determined to engage in serious negotiations with Ukraine."
RESPONSE FROM UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's ceasefire announcement and the proposal for unconditional direct talks in Istanbul on May 15.
Zelensky shared on his X account in English and Ukrainian, "It is a positive sign that the Russians are finally starting to consider ending the war. The whole world has been waiting for this for a very long time. The first step to truly ending any war is a ceasefire," he said.
Zelensky continued, "There is no point in continuing to kill for even one more day. We expect Russia to confirm a - complete, permanent, and reliable - ceasefire starting tomorrow, May 12; Ukraine is ready to negotiate."
NEW STATEMENT FROM THE KREMLIN
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct talks with the Kiev administration in Istanbul on May 15 confirms his genuine intention to find a peaceful solution.
TRUMP: IT WILL BE A GREAT WEEK!
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social, "A great week is coming!" Trump's statement read:
Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved by the potential end of this never-ending 'bloodbath' for Russia and Ukraine! This will be a brand new and much better WORLD. I will continue to work with both sides to make this happen. The United States now wants to focus on rebuilding and trade instead. A GREAT week is coming!