Turkish, Russian diplomats discuss Ukraine-Russia peace talks

13/5/2025 6:43

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan spoke on Monday to discuss Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold direct Russian-Ukrainian talks this week in Turkey, the Russian ministry said.



"The heads of the two ministries discussed issues linked with the initiative by Russian Federation President V.V. Putin about beginning direct talks on a Ukrainian settlement on 15th May in Istanbul," the ministry said in a statement.



A Turkish diplomatic source earlier said the two ministers had spoken, but gave no further details.



Putin issued the proposal at the weekend after European leaders met in Kyiv and urged Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in its war in Ukraine by Monday or face new sanctions.