Daijiworld Media Network - Istanbul

Istanbul, May 11: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to host renewed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, following a fresh proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct negotiations aimed at ending the war.

In a phone call with Putin on Sunday, Erdogan welcomed the Russian leader's televised statement proposing talks and said Turkey was ready to provide the platform for meaningful dialogue, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

Erdogan emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary atmosphere for successful peace efforts and urged both sides to seize the opportunity for a permanent solution.

Putin’s proposal came just hours after European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, visited Kyiv and called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, warning Moscow of heavy new sanctions if it failed to comply.

In a separate call with Macron, Erdogan said a “historic turning point” had arrived and stressed the urgency of diplomatic efforts. Macron reiterated that a ceasefire by Russia was essential to proceed with peace talks.

Turkey, a NATO member, has played a balancing role since the conflict began in February 2022, supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and providing military assistance, while maintaining open lines with Moscow and opposing Western sanctions on Russia.

Istanbul was previously the venue for Russia-Ukraine negotiations in March 2022, during which a potential draft deal discussed Ukraine's neutrality, its nuclear-free status, and international security guarantees in exchange for dropping NATO membership aspirations.