Turkey positions itself as the primary mediator in the war, with Erdogan declaring that recent Istanbul negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations "opened the door to peace."
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev stated that Moscow's peace negotiations in Istanbul must result in the Ukrainian government's elimination rather than compromise.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva revealed that Putin previously responded "I agree to discuss this" when presented with a proposal for a 30-day truce in Ukraine.
Kremlin officials have remained silent, while lower-ranking figures dismiss the proposed meeting. Putin initially proposed renewed Istanbul talks on 11 May.
During a state TV interview, Putin claimed that Zelenskyy is "illegitimate" for negotiations and once again accused former British PM Boris Johnson of derailing the Istanbul peace talks in 2022. Zelenskyy responded that Putin just aims to make the war "endless."