Russia failing to seize opportunity offered by Zelenskyy — Rutte on Istanbul talks

He said this at a press conference following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya on May 15, reports Radio Liberty.

Mark Rutte stressed the importance of achieving a genuine, long-lasting peace, and not a repetition of failed agreements like the Minsk agreements of 2014–2015.

He emphasized that Ukraine is demonstrating its readiness for negotiations, while Russia is not using this opportunity by sending a low-level delegation.

"The Russians are now sending a low-level delegation and are not using the opportunity provided by President Zelenskyy. He stated: 'I am ready to sit down at the negotiating table with Putin as soon as there is a ceasefire, we are ready to negotiate a peace agreement.' So Ukraine is clearly ready to play by the rules. But the ball is now in Russia's court," Rutte said.

He also thanked Donald Trump's team for their efforts to establish peace in Ukraine.

Negotiation with Russia in Turkey: What's known

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.”

On May 12, the German government announced that if Russia did not agree to ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of the day, European partners would begin preparations for new sanctions. In contrast, the Kremlin stated that “the language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia.”

Advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Mykhailo Podolyak, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not meet with any Russian representative other than Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the talks in Istanbul with Kyiv should recognize the "realities on the ground," including Russia’s incorporation of Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed he will visit Turkey on May 15 to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He also said he is ready to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.