German Chancellor Merz Calls for Ceasefire Before Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Amid Putin's Proposal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz demands a full ceasefire in Ukraine before peace talks with Russia, following President Vladimir Putin's proposal for negotiations in Istanbul on May 15. Merz, supported by European leaders and Ukraine, insists on a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12. Putin's offer lacks a ceasefire commitment, drawing criticism from European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agrees to the truce, urging Russia to confirm it. The European leaders warn of new sanctions if Russia refuses the ceasefire, while Turkey offers to host the talks.

Merz: “First the Weapons Must Be Silenced”

Speaking in Berlin on Sunday after returning from his first official visit to Kyiv, Chancellor Merz stated unequivocally that “first the weapons must be silenced, then the discussions can begin.” He stressed that Germany, along with France, the United Kingdom, and Poland, supports Ukraine’s call for a 30-day ceasefire, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accepted “without reservation.”

“We expect Moscow to now agree to a ceasefire that will make real negotiations possible,” Merz said, adding that while Russia’s willingness to talk is a “positive sign,” it is “nowhere near enough” to initiate credible peace talks.

Putin’s Offer and European Response

In the early hours of Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15. Speaking from the Kremlin, Putin said the talks should be held “without any preconditions” and aimed at addressing the “root causes of the conflict” to achieve a “long-term, lasting peace.”

However, Putin did not explicitly respond to the joint European and Ukrainian demand for a 30-day ceasefire. Instead, he criticized what he described as “ultimatums” from European leaders and accused Ukraine’s Western allies of prioritizing political ambitions over peace.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who had joined Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Kyiv on Saturday, also rejected Putin’s approach. “There can be no dialogue if, at the same time, civilians are being bombed,” Macron said. He reiterated that a ceasefire must precede any negotiations.

Ukraine’s Position: Ceasefire First

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the idea of direct talks but insisted that a ceasefire must come first. “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.”

Zelenskyy called on Russia to confirm a “full, lasting, and reliable” ceasefire starting May 12. He emphasized that Ukraine had already agreed to the 30-day truce “without any ifs or buts.”

Turkey’s Role as Host

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed readiness to host the proposed talks in Istanbul. According to his office, Erdoğan told Macron in a phone call on Sunday that a “historic turning point” had been reached in efforts to end the war. Turkey previously hosted early rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, which ultimately failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Ceasefire Proposal and Sanctions Threat

The 30-day ceasefire proposal was jointly presented in Kyiv on Saturday by the leaders of Germany, France, the UK, and Poland. The plan, backed by the United States, aims to create a window for diplomatic engagement and reduce civilian casualties.

The European leaders warned that failure by Moscow to accept the ceasefire would result in “massive” new sanctions and increased military support for Ukraine. “A just and lasting peace begins with a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Macron wrote on X. “If Moscow continues to obstruct, we will step up the pressure — together, as Europeans and in close coordination with the United States.”

Russian Conditions and Rejection of Western Demands

Putin’s proposal for talks comes amid continued Russian military operations in Ukraine. Despite a self-declared three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, Ukraine reported ongoing Russian drone and missile attacks, including over Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv.

Putin has previously outlined conditions for ending the war, including Ukraine’s withdrawal from four regions claimed by Russia and a formal renunciation of NATO membership. He also referenced the 2022 draft agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which collapsed in the early months of the invasion.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a profane rejection of the European ceasefire plan, accusing Western leaders of issuing threats rather than promoting peace.

Airstrikes Undermine Trust

Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched over 100 drones into Ukrainian territory shortly after the expiration of its self-declared ceasefire at midnight on Saturday. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that air defense systems were active in the capital early Sunday morning.

Ukraine’s air force said the attacks targeted multiple regions, including Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy, where Russian shelling reportedly killed several civilians. These developments have further eroded trust in Moscow’s intentions and reinforced calls for a verified and enforceable ceasefire.

International Reactions

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the developments via his Truth Social platform, calling it a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine.” He pledged to “continue to work with both sides” to help end the war, though he did not directly address the ceasefire proposal.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv warned of a “potentially significant” Russian air attack in the coming days, underscoring the urgency of halting hostilities.

References

• Germany's Merz says Putin peace talks offer is 'nowhere near enough'
• Merz insists on a ceasefire in the Russian war in Ukraine | УНН
• Ukraine: Merz says Putin's peace talks proposal falls short – DW – 05/11/2025
• Putin Proposes Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks Next Week - The Moscow Times
• In Kiev, European leaders warn Putin to back truce or face punishment