Direct Negotiations Between Russia and Ukraine Could Begin This Week
May 10—Sources close to the White House report cautious optimism that direct negotiations for a peace deal to end NATO’s war against Russia in Ukraine could commence this week.
The breakthrough follows an agreement to extend the so-called Victory Truce—a three-day halt in fighting declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to honor the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat—by an additional 30 days.
President Donald Trump called for this extension on May 8, urging immediate direct negotiations. Sources indicate that NATO-backed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite initial resistance, has accepted the ceasefire proposal under the assumption that Russia would reject it. However, White House insiders suggest a key compromise has been reached on the crucial issue of resupplying Ukrainian forces: Ukraine may receive new supplies from its Western allies—including the United States—but cannot transport them to the front lines during the 30-day period. Although initially opposed to this condition, Ukrainian forces have reportedly been informed by Trump and his team that they have no choice but to comply.
Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is credited with working out this compromise. While the deal has yet to receive formal approval from all parties, Ukraine continues to claim that Russia’s three-day ceasefire is a sham, citing hundreds of violations. However, sources suggest that most reported violations originated with Ukrainian forces, and that actual fighting has remained minor.
Growing Optimism for Peace Talks
New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism on May 9 that a lasting agreement could soon be reached.
"I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend," Merz said in an interview with German outlet Die Welt.
Merz believes there is a "great chance" that Russia’s ceasefire will be extended to 30 days, paving the way for formal negotiations on a peace treaty.
Merz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, arrived in Kyiv today for discussions with Zelenskyy. The group also held what they described as a "productive" telephone call with Trump, in which plans for the ceasefire extension and peace talks were discussed.
A source familiar with the negotiations emphasized lingering obstacles:
"I would stress that this is not a done deal because Zelenskyy and the Europeans don't want any negotiations for peace to succeed. They want the war to continue, and they want to bust up any entente between Trump and Putin. So, there still can be sabotage. Trump is aware of this. So is Putin, which is why he would tend to take the deal. For Trump and Putin, and anyone who wants this bloody war to end, the direct negotiations are more important than the ceasefire. That's where a peace deal will be struck."
If arrangements proceed as expected, direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could begin later this week—likely hosted in an Arab country—coinciding with Trump’s scheduled presidential tour of the region.