The possibility of new direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine has arisen, where, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, negotiations need to be resumed to settle the present-day conflict. In a state television press conference from Moscow, Putin announced that formal peace negotiations are being planned for Istanbul, starting from May 15. Such a gesture on the part of Putin is a clear indication of a shift in Moscow’s attitude, showing that the Russian capital is ready to discuss diplomatic solutions after having suffered a long war, instability and failed efforts at peace-making.

The ball is now in the hands of Ukraine’s decision-makers.

Putin cleared up that discussions with Ukraine are not off the table and called for “meaningful and significant talks”. Putin said he is prepared to kick start meaningful debate with the aim of resolving the drawn out and complicated conflict. Russia has several times shown a willingness to negotiate. The time now is for serious and practical talks and not for gestures, the Russian president explains. His message was clear: Openly, it is Russia’s stance that it is willing to proceed on negotiations, with the precondition that Ukraine comes to the negotiations under the condition of good faith and with a serious intention to resolve the issue.

The statement has attracted the attention of world leaders who have insisted time and again on peaceful ends to the conflict which has cost many people in lives and forced millions into displacement. That the planned talks will be held in Istanbul, the city with a rich diplomatic history and strategic location will most likely attract the close attention of such key actors as United States, the EU and China.

“The ball is now in the hands of Ukraine’s decision-makers”, Putin said. “We are prepared to talk. Still, in case one’s purpose is to delay things and maintain a pace with supportive weapons from other countries, the talks will have no result. This message is a reminder of how distrustful and pointing fingers at each other have defined the relationship between Russia and Ukraine since the war started in 2022. Some analysts regard the announcement as a part of Putin’s deliberate strategy to turn around Russia’s international standing given the continuing threat of sanctions, weariness of the warfare, and increasing domestic concerns.

The underlying causes of the conflict turned into one of the pivotal points in Putin’s words. As vague as they were, Putin’s words indicate that Moscow considers the enlargement of NATO, the annexation of Crimea and the defence of Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine as major points of dissonance. These disagreements, which have far reached roots and the cause of continued friction and distrust for over a decade, continue. In claiming an interest in the issues at the root of the matter, Putin’s strategy insinuates Russia’s desire to introduce substantial long-term shifts in strategic interest over more than a simple tactical withdrawal.

The time now is for serious and practical talks and not for gestures.

Ukraine has not yet sooner responded publicly to the words of Putin. Previous rounds of discussions often reached a logjam due to fundamental reasons of Ukraine’s territorial bounds; justice call on war crimes as well as foreign military presence. The challenge for Ukraine is that it must be part of these discussions without seeming to back down to pressure from Russia or somehow risk sovereignty. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said many times that the agreement that will bring final peace out of this conflict should include the restoration of peace on Ukrainian land and include responsibility for the war crimes, with all units and soldiers of the Russian army leaving Ukrainian shores.

There are doubts hovering around the timing of Putin’s offer. Some experts say that it is possible that the Kremlin’s will to start talks now could be a result of the new events on the battlefield. The long-drawn-out nature of the battles, and the considerable setbacks that have been sustained on each side have now given rise to a scenario whereby a military stalemate is becoming evident and neither side has been able to deliver overwhelming advantage. Besides, Russia now suffers from more international sanctions, internal disunity, and economic problems– circumstances that may make Moscow seek diplomatic options.

The fact that Turkey is basically hosting such talks makes their importance even greater. Due to its affiliation with NATO and tight interest with Russia and Ukraine, Turkey has played a key role in concerning prisoner deliveries and grain shipment. President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is a potential meditator and the talks that were to be held in Istanbul may be the tipping point for measuring his diplomacy. Turkey is an excellent host for a renewed dialogue because of its vested interest in stability and its geopolitical reality.

The planned talks will be held in Istanbul, the city with a rich diplomatic history and strategic location.

Despite scepticism, this initiative has created hope that a lowering of tensions is not far away. For peace to come about, both sides will need considerable political commitment, mutual concessions, and job recruitment by powerful international actors. The upcoming dialogue will be an opportunity on how committed the two parties are and the strength of multilateral diplomacy in bringing one of the most treacherous worlds disputes to an end.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.