Trump Predicts a "Great Week" in Istanbul for Ukraine and Russia, Macron Is Cautious, and Zelensky Is Silent
Western leaders comment on Vladimir Putin's midnight proposal to Ukraine to hold an "Istanbul-15" on May 2 without any preconditions from each other.
"Potentially a great day for Russia and Ukraine! Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this endless bloodbath hopefully ends. It will be a whole new and much better world. I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that happens. The US wants to focus on recovery and trade instead. It's going to be a great week!" Donald Trump wrote on social media.
In this regard, Ukrainian media noted that Trump's statement was composed in such a way that it is unclear whose idea he supported - Zelensky and the Euro-four (a month-long ceasefire from Monday), or Putin (direct Ukrainian-Russian negotiations on a ceasefire in Istanbul from Thursday).
French President Macron, however, is not as optimistic as Trump. Commenting on Putin’s offer, he said it was “a first but insufficient step.”
"An unconditional ceasefire must not be preceded by negotiations," AFP quotes Macron as saying.
The owner of the Elysee Palace believes that Putin is “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time.”
The leaders of Belarus, Poland and Germany are still silent, as is the addressee of Putin's statement, Vladimir Zelensky.
English version :: Read in English Trump Predicts a "Great Week" in Istanbul for Ukraine and Russia, Macron Is Cautious, and Zelensky Is Silent