Russians Propose New Peace Talks Next Week
May 30—The Russians have proposed a new round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 to exchange and discuss written proposals for a ceasefire and an end to NATO's war against Russia in Ukraine. The proposal was made by Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky after speaking by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Rusten Umerov.
Within hours of the Russian bid, the Ukrainians reportedly sent a document outlining their vision for the path to a ceasefire, negotiations, confidence-building measures, and a leader-level meeting. "We gave the Russians our doc which shows all the steps to a ceasefire and how to prepare the meeting of the leaders and we're asking them to give us their doc," a Ukrainian official told Axios on May 29. The Ukrainians hinted that they wanted to see a similar proposal from the Russians before committing to the meeting, but sources close to the White House suggested that Ukrainians "would show up if they knew what was good for them."
"We are ready to begin a substantive discussion of each of the points of the package agreement on the future ceasefire," Medinsky told reporters in Moscow. Sources say the Russian proposal, written under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, seeks to address what he considers the "root causes" of the conflict—specifically, NATO provocations that led to Russia’s "Special Military Operation" in February 2022.
Putin's Demands for Neutrality and Sanctions Relief
According to a leaked report on Putin’s position published by Reuters on May 28, the Russian leader is pushing for assurances that Ukraine will not join NATO and will maintain a neutral stance, mirroring its status after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The report states that Putin wants a written pledge from major Western powers not to expand the NATO alliance eastward—effectively ruling out membership for Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other former Soviet republics.
"Russia also wants Ukraine to be neutral, some Western sanctions [against Russia] lifted, a resolution of the issue of frozen Russian sovereign assets in the West, and protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine," Reuters reported, citing three Kremlin-linked sources. "One source suggested that if Putin is unable to secure a peace deal on his terms, he will seek to demonstrate—through military victories in Ukraine—that 'peace tomorrow will be even more painful.' The Kremlin did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment."
Trump’s Role in Negotiations
Sources report that Ukrainian officials were fully aware of the Reuters piece when they responded coolly to the Russian request for talks. The issues raised have already been discussed in indirect or mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump's mediators, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump, who criticized Putin this week for launching attacks that he claimed "killed thousands" of civilians in Ukrainian cities (though they reportedly targeted military facilities embedded, within civilian areas, and the Ukrainians said that 14 people were killed; Trump also seemed to unaware that the Russian attack was in response to repeated missile and drone attacks by Ukraine deep into the Russian Federation, including this morning on Moscow, which have killed hundreds of Russian citizens), has threatened Putin with possible sanctions or worse if negotiations stall. The U.S. President has also already informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that NATO membership is off the table, insisting that Ukraine will remain sovereign but neutral.
Russia to Present Peace Plan on June 2
Sources suggest that a broad Russian peace proposal will be submitted at the June 2 meeting, with Russian negotiators insisting that discussions center on what they view as the "root causes" of the conflict. If Zelenskyy agrees, a ceasefire could come swiftly—provided its terms are clearly defined—potentially fulfilling Trump’s first goal in resolving the war.
Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with Putin, in part due to briefings from State Department officials who claim Putin is using Trump to buy time while continuing the war. However, Witkoff has reportedly reassured Trump that Putin is genuinely seeking an end to the conflict, particularly to lift sanctions and normalize relations with the U.S.
Trump Weighs Further Action Against Europe
According to sources, Putin sees a common interest with Trump in countering NATO and European leaders who allegedly want the war to continue. Trump has reportedly told aides that European leaders may inadvertently provoke World War III by using Zelenskyy as their instrument against Putin. If European obstructionism persists, Trump could cut off all aid to Ukraine—and possibly NATO itself.
Witkoff has reportedly adopted a tougher stance in conversations with Putin to push peace efforts forward, while Trump may soon take an even more direct approach with European leaders.