Zelenskyy Calls Putin’s Bluff on Peace Negotiations

A Diplomatic Victory That Could Force Trump to Back Away from Putin

On May 11, Vladimir Putin rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and instead offered to speak directly with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Istanbul, Turkey. On the eve of the summit, after Zelenskyy publicly accepted Moscow's offer, Putin quietly cancelled his visit to Istanbul and will send one of his least respected aides instead. Ukraine called Russia’s bluff and scored a significant diplomatic win.

Over the past few months, Ukrainian, European, American, and even Russian policymakers have increasingly discussed a ceasefire agreement or peace treaty between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukraine and its Western allies have displayed an earnest desire for a lasting peace in the region, while Russia has used the prospect of opening a negotiation process as a means to buy time to reconstitute its forces while stringing along Trump and his diplomats.