Russia will send its negotiators to Istanbul on May 15, no matter what position Ukraine takes. This was confirmed by Leonid Slutsky, Head of the State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee and leader of the LDPR party, during a parliamentary session.
“On Thursday, May 15, our team will be in Istanbul — regardless of Kiev’s response. Their presence is proof that Russia is serious about peace and is offering a genuine path forward, as laid out by President Putin,” Slutsky said.
He added that if Ukraine had agreed to the Istanbul proposals back in 2022, countless lives could have been saved. “We bear a special responsibility — not only to our own people but to the world — to put an end to Nazism and extremist ideologies. President Putin’s proposal is still on the table. I urge Kiev to take it seriously — it’s the only realistic route to peace,” he emphasized.
Slutsky also had strong words for Western capitals: “To Berlin, Kiev, Paris — it’s time to move past the theatrics. Look reality in the eye. This conflict didn’t need to happen, and it can end if we deal with it honestly.”
Earlier, speaking with reporters at the Kremlin on the night of May 11, Putin called for the resumption of direct peace talks with Ukraine — without preconditions — beginning May 15 in Istanbul. He noted that Russia had declared multiple ceasefires in the past, all of which were repeatedly violated by Ukrainian forces, including the latest three-day pause for Victory Day celebrations.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has since said he plans to travel to Istanbul on Thursday. His announcement followed a call from US President Donald Trump urging Ukraine to accept Putin’s offer. Previously, Zelensky had said he would only agree to talks if there was a 30-day ceasefire in place.
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Photo: Federation Council
Based on TASS materials