Macron dismisses Putin's peace talks as stalling tactic
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, criticized Vladimir Putin's Sunday statement about his readiness to negotiate with Ukraine, calling it a "delaying manoeuvre."
What you need to know
- Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct peace talks with Ukraine without preconditions, which would take place on May 15 in Istanbul.
- Emmanuel Macron assessed this proposal as a "delaying manoeuvre," emphasizing that an unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations.
- The West, including France, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, is calling for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Is Putin's proposal a step towards peace?
On Sunday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin proposed to Ukraine the resumption of direct peace talks without preconditions. He mentioned that such negotiations could occur on May 15 in Istanbul.
He added that Russia proposes direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul to "eliminate the root causes of conflict" and "restore long-term, lasting peace."
After returning from Kyiv, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, expressed skepticism about Vladimir Putin's Sunday statement. The French leader stated that the Kremlin's proposal is a "delaying manoeuvre."
Macron remarked that an unconditional ceasefire is, by definition, not preceded by negotiations.
What are the West's reactions to the Kremlin's proposal?
Macron, along with allies, including Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland, is calling for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to be instituted. In his view, Putin's proposal is merely stalling, something the West has repeatedly accused Russia of. The French president called Putin's statement a first step towards peace, but noted that it is insufficient.
