Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has bypassed a European-led call for an immediate 30-day cease-fire in Ukraine, opting instead to propose direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, without preconditions. According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, Putin conveyed his offer during an early morning briefing in Moscow on May 11, suggesting a resumption of peace talks that had previously been held in April 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine commenced on February 24. "We are determined to have serious negotiations. Their purpose is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict...and establish a long-term, lasting peace in the historical perspective," Putin stated, reiterating his stance against Ukraine joining NATO and insisting on Kyiv's neutrality. The local military administration reported drone activity over Kyiv, with air defenses responding and shooting down some targets, though no infrastructure damage was recorded. However, a summer house in Kyiv's suburban Brovary dis trict was hit, resulting in one man being treated for shock, and five private residences in the Obukhiv district were damaged. Putin's comments coincided with Moscow's Victory Day celebrations, marking the end of World War II. Following his briefing, former US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on his Truth Social account, calling it a "potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine" and emphasizing the significance of ending the ongoing conflict. There has been no immediate response from Ukraine or European leaders regarding Putin's proposal. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, leaders from Germany, France, Poland, and Britain joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in advocating for a 30-day cease-fire starting May 12, warning of severe new sanctions against Moscow if it disregarded the truce proposal. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy, and British and Polish prime ministers Keir Starmer and Donald Tusk, after a meeting in Kyiv on May 10, urged Putin to demonstrate his commitment to peace. "If he turns his back on peace, we will respond. Working with President Trump, with all our partners, we will ramp up sanctions and increase our military aid for Ukraine's defense," stated Starmer. The New York Times cited a senior US official indicating Trump's endorsement of the European leaders' proposal for new sanctions if a cease-fire was not established by May 12. Macron further declared support for the cease-fire to commence without any preconditions. Despite the Kremlin's earlier call for a temporary cease-fire during Victory Day celebrations, Russia continued attacks on Ukrainian forces and infrastructure. Kyiv maintained it would only honor the cease-fire if Russia did, while advocating for a longer truce. In his remarks, Putin also acknowledged North Korean troops' involvement in the conflict, praising their contribution to fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region. Unable to secure a decisive victory, Russia has sought assistance from North Korea, deploying ap proximately 11,000 troops primarily in the Kursk border region. Putin reminisced about past negotiations in Istanbul in March 2022, which ended abruptly when Kyiv rejected a Russian ultimatum. He portrayed this as a missed opportunity for Ukraine to engage in meaningful dialogue, a narrative Moscow continues to use against Kyiv.