Breaking news! Russia declares ceasefire for the 3rd time! Putin: We will meet with Erdoğan

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a statement to reporters after the events held to mark May 9 Victory Day and his meeting with leaders of foreign countries.

Recalling that Ukraine did not accept the ceasefire on energy infrastructure proposed by the US in Ukraine, as well as the ceasefire he himself proposed on Easter and Victory Day, Putin stated that Russia has never rejected dialogue with Ukraine.

In this context, Putin emphasized that despite everything, Kiev authorities proposed to restart the negotiations that they had suspended at the end of 2022, and said, "We propose that direct negotiations should be resumed, especially without preconditions, on Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, where the negotiations were previously interrupted, and that they should begin without delay."

"I WILL REQUEST PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN TO HOLD THE NEGOTIATIONS IN ISTANBUL"

Recalling that Türkiye had made several offers to organize negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Putin said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had also done a lot to organize this event.

Putin recalled that a draft document was prepared as a result of the negotiations held in Istanbul in 2022 and that Kiev initialed it, and stated that this document was thrown away due to the West's attitude.

Russian leader Putin said, "I have a meeting with President Erdoğan tomorrow. I ask him to provide such an opportunity for negotiations to be held in Türkiye. I hope that he will confirm his desire to contribute to the search for peace in Ukraine. We are determined to hold serious negotiations with Ukraine."

"OUR AIM IS TO ELIMINATE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT AND ESTABLISH PERMANENT PEACE"

Underlining that their aim with these negotiations is "to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and establish a long-term, lasting peace within the historical perspective," Putin said, "We do not exclude that during these negotiations it is possible to agree on a new ceasefire and real change that will be adhered to not only by Russia but also by the Ukrainian side. This would be the first step."

"OUR PROPOSAL IS ON THE TABLE, THE DECISION BELONGS TO THE UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES"

Stating that this proposal is a long-term sustainable peace, Putin pointed out that this should not lead to the continuation of the armed conflict after the Ukrainian army is fully equipped and strengthened.

"Our proposals are on the table. The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators," Putin said.