The Guardian: Zelensky Has Taken The Initiative From Putin

• 12.05.2025, 7:49

Ukraine's president has made a diplomatic gambit.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has made a "diplomatic gambit" by offering Vladimir Putin to meet in person for peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday.

According to The Guardian, he has taken the initiative from Putin, and is now putting pressure on him.

As the publication recalls, the demand for a 30-day ceasefire was made on Saturday during a visit to Kiev by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that if Putin rejected the offer, sanctions would be strengthened and military aid for Ukraine's defense increased to force Russia back to the negotiating table.

In response, Putin accused Ukraine of violating previous cease-fire agreements, but said that "despite this" he was proposing that the two sides meet for talks, which he said could take place in Istanbul this Thursday.

As The Guardian notes, Putin's tone was clearly carefully calibrated to reject Europe's demands, but also to give the appearance of Moscow's constructive stance in the eyes of the Trump administration, which until recently had been much softer on Moscow than on Kiev. Putin specifically thanked the new US administration for its efforts to resolve the conflict:

"Trump's response suggests that the tactic may have succeeded, dealing a significant blow to Western unity. But his post at Truth Social also hinted at the frustration he has reportedly expressed privately in recent days over Moscow's hardline demands in the war in Ukraine."

While suggesting a direct meeting with Putin in Istanbul, Zelensky seized the initiative and is now putting pressure on the Russian dictator - who rarely travels spontaneously.