In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct peace negotiations with Ukraine, aiming to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict. The proposed talks are scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul.

Putin emphasized that Russia is ready to engage in discussions without any preconditions, seeking a long-term and sustainable peace rather than a temporary pause in hostilities. He reiterated Russia's conditions for peace, including Ukraine's neutrality, exclusion from NATO, and withdrawal from four contested regions.

Despite these overtures, Ukraine has not yet responded to the proposal. The situation remains tense, with recent Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian territory and mutual accusations of ceasefire violations.

The international community watches closely as the proposed talks approach, hopeful for a breakthrough in a conflict that has resulted in significant casualties and geopolitical instability since its inception in February 2022.