Macron outlines condition for Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul

France 24 reported the information.

Macron said Putin’s initiative is "a first step, but not enough."

"An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations," the French president told reporters as he got off a train in the Polish city of Przemysl, returning from a visit to Ukraine.

He added that Putin "looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time."

Later, the French president noted that the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul would only be possible under the conditions of a ceasefire.

“In Kyiv and alongside President Trump, we made a clear proposal: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday. President Zelensky committed without setting any condition. We now expect an equally clear response from Russia. There can be no negotiations while weapons are speaking. There can be no dialogue if, at the same time, civilians are being bombed. A ceasefire is needed now, so that talks can begin. For peace,” he emphasized.

• In a nighttime address on May 11, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed he was ready for direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey next week, but he dismissed the idea of a 30-day truce. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would keep working with both sides and predicted that the coming week would be “great.”