According to a note published Tuesday on the diplomatic ministry’s website, the two foreign ministers discussed issues related to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to begin direct negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian conflict on May 15th in Istanbul.

On May 11th, Putin, in statements to reporters at the Kremlin, proposed that the Ukrainian authorities resume, without preconditions, the direct talks they had suspended in 2022. The president also cited May 15th as the appropriate date to take that step.

In turn, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine has been waiting for a ceasefire since May 12th and is ready to begin talks with Russia in Türkiye as early as May 15th.

This latest statement came after US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to immediately accept the talks proposed by the Russian leader.

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