Public sentiment is predominantly skeptical and frustrated regarding the recent peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. There is a widespread belief that the talks lack genuine intent, with many viewing them as strategic maneuvers without sincerity. Both Russian and Ukrainian leadership face criticism, with President Zelensky emerging as a polarizing figure. While there is support for Ukraine's sovereignty, skepticism is intensified by perceptions of external influence, particularly by the United States and NATO. The idea of prisoner exchanges is often viewed with suspicion, considered by some as superficial and a facade for ongoing hostilities.

Russia

Ukraine

United States

NATO

#####&amp;#009;

######&amp;#009;

####&amp;#009;

&gt; # [Didn't Zelensky impose a ban on talks with Putin? Not really](https://assets.kyivindependent.com/content/images/2025/05/GettyImages-2211467986.jpg)
&gt; 
&gt;   
&gt;   
&gt; President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 22, 2025. (Vitalii Nosach / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
&gt; 
&gt; President Volodymyr Zelensky's willingness to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Istanbul sparked a question over whether such a move contradicts his earlier decree.
&gt; 
&gt; In the fall of 2022, Zelensky signed a decree that "stated the impossibility of holding negotiations with Russian President Putin," as a response to Russia's[illegal annexation](https://kyivindependent.com/putin-declares-holiday-commemorating-occupation-of-ukrainian-regions/) of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, parts of which Moscow didn't even control.
&gt; 
&gt; "He (Putin) does not know what dignity and honesty are. We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with a different president of Russia," Zelensky said at the time.
&gt; 
&gt; Moscow has cited Zelensky's decree as a ban on talks with Putin and used it as an excuse for avoiding direct talks with Kyiv. Putin has also falsely claimed that[Zelensky](https://kyivindependent.com/tag/volodymyr-zelensky/) lacks[legitimacy](https://kyivindependent.com/kremlin-softens-tone-on-zelenskys-alleged-legitimacy-issues-says-talks-take-priority/) and can't represent Ukraine.
&gt; 
&gt; Putin said that such talks would be considered["illegitimate"](https://kyivindependent.com/if-we-start-negotiations-now-theyll-be-illegitimate-putin-again-questions-zelenskys-legitimacy/) and therefore "their outcomes could also be declared illegitimate." Now, Putin himself said that he's open to direct talks with Ukraine.
&gt; 
&gt; According to a source in Ukraine's president's office, the decree was a "signal to those in Ukraine who wanted to speak (to Russians) bypassing the central government."
&gt; 
&gt; "Back then we stated the impossibility, now we can state the possibility, the president as the head of state determines this," the source added.
&gt; 
&gt; "There is no ban as such, the Russians twisted it."
&gt; 
&gt; [‘Like a game of tennis’ — Russia, Ukraine court Trump to avoid being blamed for peace talks failure
&gt; 
&gt; In the middle of the night, Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered Russian state TV to inform them that he is ready to begin direct peace talks with Ukraine on May 15. A day later, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he’ll be waiting for Putin in Turkey. “We expect Russia to confirm a full, durable, and reliable ceasefire starting May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet,” Zelensky said. The statements by Moscow and Kyiv caught the attention of the main viewer — U.S. President Donald Trump. “I
&gt; 
&gt; [Image](https://kyivindependent.com/assets/images/favicon.ico)The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima
&gt; 
&gt; 
&gt; 
&gt; [Image](https://assets.kyivindependent.com/content/images/2025/05/GettyImages-2213759492.jpg)](https://kyivindependent.com/like-a-game-of-tennis-russia-ukraine-court-trump-to-avoid-being-blamed-for-peace-talks-failure/)## `What is the decree about?`
&gt; 
&gt; The decree concerning negotiations with Putin was a response to the five decisions approved by the National Security and Defense Council adopted on Sept. 30, 2022. Days later, the document was signed by Zelensky.
&gt; 
&gt; Although the decree does not explicitly mention a ban on holding talks, many have seen it as a de facto ban on direct talks with Putin.
&gt; 
&gt; "The constitution clearly says that he (the president) negotiates. That is, he decides with whom to negotiate, when to negotiate, and in what format."
&gt; 
&gt; Ukrainian lawmaker and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, Oleksandr Merezhko, told the Kyiv Independent that the problem lies in the interpretation of the decree.
&gt; 
&gt; "This has given rise to false interpretations. The fact that the president allegedly forbade himself from communicating with[Putin](https://kyivindependent.com/tag/vladimir-putin/). No, that's illogical," he said.
&gt; 
&gt; [Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on May 11, 2025.](https://assets.kyivindependent.com/content/images/2025/05/GettyImages-2213871842.jpg)Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on May 11, 2025. (Gavriil Grigorov / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)According to Ukraine's constitution, the president represents the state in international relations, manages foreign policy, and negotiates and concludes international treaties on behalf of Ukraine.
&gt; 
&gt; "The constitution is always above a presidential decree," Merezhko said. "The constitution clearly says that he (the president) negotiates. That is, he decides with whom to negotiate, when to negotiate, and in what format," he added.
&gt; 
&gt; "The decree was aimed at preventing attempts and prohibiting others from conducting any negotiations with Putin."
&gt; 
&gt; Tetiana Shevchuk, a lawyer with the Anti-Corruption Action Center in Kyiv, said that[Ukrainian](https://kyivindependent.com/tag/ukraine/) law does not require such a decree.
&gt; 
&gt; ## `Why did Zelensky sign the decree?`
&gt; 
&gt; Zelensky himself has committed extensively on his 2022 decree.
&gt; 
&gt; In January, Zelensky said that such a move was made to prevent any unauthorized talks with Russia that might involve Ukrainian politicians.
&gt; 
&gt; According to the president, Putin rapidly began establishing "a large number of different channels" aimed at influencing Ukraine, together with "separatists" and "representatives of other countries."
&gt; 
&gt; "There were many negotiation processes, many shadow dealings. I stopped it quickly. I just stopped separatism in our country," Zelensky[added](https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/3952654-zelenskij-poasniv-comu-zaboroniv-peregovori-z-rosieu-na-pocatku-povnomasstabnogo-vtorgnenna.html).
&gt; 
&gt; At the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia also sought to pressure Ukrainian lawmakers, European officials, and the U.S., he said.
&gt; 
&gt; [Image](https://assets.kyivindependent.com/content/images/2023/11/GettyImages-1233020705.jpg)Former Ukrainian lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk, who later left for Russia as part of a prisoner swap, is seen in Kyiv’s Appeal Court during a hearing on May 21, 2021. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)Without specifying names, the president said that those involved in the behind-the-scenes efforts were later arrested and exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). Presumably, Zelensky referred to Viktor Medvedchuk, the pro-Kremlin politician who was arrested and sent to Russia amid a[prisoner swap](https://kyivindependent.com/pro-kremlin-lawmaker-viktor-medvedchuk-reportedly-handed-over-to-russia-as-part-of-prisoner-exchange/) in September 2022.
&gt; 
&gt; People who spoke to the Kyiv Independent said there are no legal barriers and that Zelensky doesn't have to revoke the decree or make amendments to it.
&gt; 
&gt; "This ban applies to others. Therefore, I see no need to cancel this decree," Merezhko said.
&gt; 
&gt; Asked whether there should be a new decree lifting the ban on talks with Putin, the source close to the president replied that there's no need for this.
&gt; 
&gt; [‘Not what Putin was expecting’ — What we know (and don’t know) about Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul
&gt; 
&gt; Russian President Vladimir Putin may have gotten more than he bargained for when, on May 11, he rejected calls for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and invited Ukraine to engage in direct talks in Istanbul later this week. In what may have been a surprise for the Russian leader, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by accepting the invitation, saying he was ready to meet Putin in Turkey on May 15. “This is not what Putin was expecting,” Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian lawmaker and
&gt; 
&gt; [Image](https://kyivindependent.com/assets/images/favicon.ico)The Kyiv IndependentChris York,
&gt; 
&gt; 
&gt; 
&gt; [Image](https://assets.kyivindependent.com/content/images/2025/05/GettyImages-2213757285.jpg)](https://kyivindependent.com/not-what-putin-was-expecting-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-ukraine-russia-peace-talks-in-istanbul/)

  
  
  
- - - - - -

[Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/user/urielsalis) | [Creator](https://www.reddit.com/user/subtepass) | [Source Code](https://github.com/urielsalis/empleadoEstatalBot)  
 Summoning /u/CoverageAnalysisBot

empleadoEstatalBot

This whole article is honestly hilarious, it's like the kyivindependent is trying its hardest not to discredit their President so they're going to do some gaslighting as to why we are all mistaken.


Ukraine just backpedaled, just like Russia. They both took a no-diplomacy approach because they both thought that it would be not necessary. Indeed, it is not necessary to negotiate with Russia if you push them out of your territory, and it is not necessary to negotiate with Ukraine if you push them to capitulation.

Now we all know that the lines aren't going to move by a lot, so they're both in front of the fait-accompli that ultimately no one can enforce anything so negotiations are absolutely back on the menu.

They're both eating their words, and while this article reminds you that Putin backpedaled, it's going to tell you why Zelensky isn't by questioning the President's cabinet who, unsurprisingly, is going to bullshit us. Because that's what a President's cabinet is supposed to do, protect the Head-of-state no matter what.

&gt; "Back then we stated the impossibility, now we can state the possibility, the president as the head of state determines this," the source added.

&gt; "There is no ban as such, the Russians twisted it."

This part is hilarious ngl.

"Yeah we banned negotiations... but now we don't, it's the Russians that are lying by telling you we banned negotiations... because now we don't."

Pklnt

Just in time damage control for the Istanbul meeting on May 15th, as was entirely expected. 

&gt; People who spoke to the Kyiv Independent said there are no legal barriers and that Zelensky doesn't have to revoke the decree or make amendments to it.

&gt; Asked whether there should be a new decree lifting the ban on talks with Putin, the source close to the president replied that there's no need for this.

The opposing side sees it as a legal barrier, and will not negotiate until it is out of the way. If there was a will pursue negotiations then a compromise could have been reached instead of stubbornly refusing to do anything about it.

&gt; "This ban applies to others. Therefore, I see no need to cancel this decree," Merezhko said.

Does this mean that Zelensky is the only one who can negotiate? That seems rather inefficient, to have to be everywhere personally for these matters. Odd that nobody sees a problem with consolidating power in ones own hands that way.

&gt; Back then we stated the impossibility, now we can state the possibility, the president as the head of state determines this," the source added.

&gt; "There is no ban as such, the Russians twisted it."

What a convenient, malleable law that's open to the whims of the guy in charge, and retroactive reinterpretation. Are they seriously blaming Russia for "twisting" something that was designed to be twisted in the first place?

Today we say it's impossible, tomorrow we say it's possible. And then they wonder why Russia doesn't want to start negotiations with something like this at the foundation. Russia had enough of "but we didn't _really_ promise no NATO expansion, not in _writing_ anyway". Fool me once.

If someone wants to talk they will remove barriers preventing them from talking, not invent countless explanations for why these aren't really barriers but merely speed bumps, oh, but wait, just some children's drawings on the asphalt.

VintageGriffin

The link you have provided contains keywords for topics associated with an active conflict, and has automatically been flaired accordingly. If the flair was not updated, the link submitter MUST do so. Due to submissions regarding active conflicts generating more contrasting discussion, comments will only be available to users who have set a subreddit [user flair](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205242695-How-do-I-get-user-flair), and must strictly comply with [subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime_titties/about/rules). Posters who change the assigned post flair without permission will be temporarily banned. Commenters who violate Reddiquette and civility rules will be summarily banned. 

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime_titties) if you have any questions or concerns.*

AutoModerator

He might step down just before the annexed regions are officially recognized. After three years of no compromise on that front, he'd become public enemy number one for doing it.

Badeer21

Interesting age restriction - and hoping that list of kidnapped children goes viral

Accurate_Storm2588


Привіт u/Lion8330 ! During wartime, this community is focused on vital and high-effort content. Please ensure your post follows [r/Ukraine Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/about/rules).

**Want to support Ukraine?**  [**Vetted Charities List**](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities) | [Our Vetting Process](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities-vetting)

**Daily series on Ukraine's history &amp; culture:**  [Sunrise Posts Organized By Category](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/sunriseposts/)

**To learn about how you can support Ukraine politically, visit r/ActionForUkraine**

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ukraine) if you have any questions or concerns.*

ISTANBUL, May 16 (Reuters) - Ukraine rallied its Western allies on Friday after Kyiv and Moscow failed to agree to a ceasefire at their first direct talks in three years, with Russia presenting conditions that a Ukrainian source said went beyond its previous demands.
Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end the conflict, delegates from the warring countries met for the first time since March, 2022, the month after Russia invaded its neighbour.


The talks in an Istanbul palace lasted well under two hours, and there was no immediate announcement on whether or when the sides might meet again.
Russia expressed satisfaction with the talks and both countries said they had agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side.


But Kyiv, which wants the West to impose tighter sanctions unless Moscow accepts a proposal from Trump for a 30-day ceasefire, immediately began rallying its allies for tougher action.
As soon as the talks ended, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a phone call with Trump and the leaders of France, Germany and Poland, Zelenskiy's spokesperson said.
Russia's demands were "detached from reality and go far beyond anything that was previously discussed," a source in the Ukrainian delegation told Reuters.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Moscow had issued ultimatums for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of its own territory in order to obtain a ceasefire "and other non-starters and non-constructive conditions".British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the Russian position was unacceptable and that European leaders, Ukraine and the U.S. were "closely aligning" their responses.

Zelenskiy said robust sanctions should follow if Russia rejected a ceasefire.
Expectations for a major breakthrough, already low, were dented further on Thursday when Trump, winding up a Middle East tour, said there would be no movement without a meeting between himself and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Sanguinor-Exemplar

Russia did not come to the table because they want to be the ones to dictate the conditions, clearly inadmissible by the Ukrainian counterpart who does not want to cede the territories.


They started this summit knowing clearly that Putin would never show up, to turn public opinion, especially American, with "Putin does not want peace" and thus proceed with new European sanctions and the continuation of the (limited) shipment of American weapons. 


The war will continue in a similar fashion, with Ukraine on the defensive and Russia on the attack, until one of the two collapses, either by the army or the economy 

Puzzleheaded-Fan-452

It seems to me that Zelensky and Europe are intentionally speaking to Russia in terms of ultimatums, demanding an immediate ceasefire 'or else..' because they know Russia will always refuse ultimatums.
All in order to manipulate Trump to adapt his stance regarding Russia and see Russia instead of Zelensky as 'obstacle to peace'. 

puppetmstr

These talks was always a joke and never serious. 

What you got was trump bailing Putin out and Europeans sidelined.

JustAhobbyish

If the Ukrainians are still holding out for Crimea at this point- Somewhere in here it becomes a debate about whether the Ukrainians are actually trying to maintain what sovereignty the realistically can, or if they’re intentionally making it an existential conflict in order to put pressure on the West

ttown2011

basically their negotiaon position has not changed since day one, so nothing new here. Russia isn't serious about peace and never was, the trend continues despite the nuclear triad becoming a diad.

count023

Putin continues to show why dictators should never be treated with any respect or courtesy.

MNGopherfan

Wow, how shocking! Almost like it's overtly obvious to anyone with a functioning logic center.

VerbAdjectiveNoun

Fuck whatever Putin wants, he can eat a bag of dicks.

JFontenot

No one in their right mind expected them to change demands immediately after the attacks, that would show absolute weakness on their part

But they showed up, talked and agreed prisoner/fallen exchanges and to proceed further

If they though they had the ultimate upper hand, they would try a power move and cancel

Both sides see this as unsustainable

anachronistic_circus

Tl:dr they’re demanding surrender for 30 days of ceasefire

wordswillneverhurtme

Russia does not negotiate in good faith. Their entire stance is "we want what you have, all of it" and that's it. They will never ever ever accept peace or cease fires realistically. Ever. And they will NEVER EVER accept responsibility for any of the misery they've ever put forth.

Chrisda19

Putin behaves like if Ukraine today could be treated as Cecenia 30 years ago....however, 40 russian bombers just destroyed disagree

Dystopics_IT

Russia needs a president that can blame everything on Putin and end the war.  Not sure how long that will take…

Logical_Frosting_277

Is it really a negotiation if one side just screams ridiculous demands at the top of their lungs while the other has to fight back a literal genocide with one hand tied behind their back?

A7V-

Putin ‘s problem: he invaded Ukraine.  His authoritarian government was under attack, started a war by invading a sovereign country,  many Russian citizens have died fighting a war Putin started ( citizens fed propaganda) reporters killed for reporting the truth.  Opposition killed how will he sell peace plan?

PineappleExcellent90

Adept-Mulberry-8720

Basically Russia has asked Ukraine to surrender... in order to get a 30 day ceasefire.

Thanato26

No surprise.  Putin want to keep his hand in the jar of cookie and eat it too even though he now find out it is not working out the way he planned.

macross1984

Sounds like they need to lose another arm of their nuclear ~~triad~~ dyad before they even consider pretending to want peace. 

ScoobiusMaximus

so called 'without preconditions' negotiations.

pabinudake

NotAnotherEmpire

oripash

Rude_Chemistry424

Don't worry , the TACO is going to take care of everything.  In 24 hrs ...um 2 weeks ...  When ever its over the TACO will take credit.  Maybe ... if its good.  If not the Biden clone did it.

SpeshellED

sorry, do weak little btches with military shrapnel jammed up their twisted panties get to make demands?

Saturn-Returns-Real

Is it true that in other conflicts russia didn’t do well until 1 million casualties? If I remember the stories I used to read. Both world wars were fought better after 1 million casualties. Am I remembering wrong?

MnRFun

I wonder what Trump is saying about Ukraine now.

marilynlistens

Put it over playing his hand because doing what he did gives him some sort of power that he didn't have. Relevant. For several years he has been saying that mutually assured destruction is a "balancing force". When people are pointing guns at each other and keep them honest. And so he thinks this stupid dangerous game has given him some relevance in the world again.

He stated for years that his goal was to make NATO back off because they kept crossing the "red line" by bringing missiles and vases closer and closer to his border. He could have everything he ever wanted. To come back to the world economic stage. To have NATO guarantee Ukraine doesn't join. But he's getting greedy and he wants to take all of this extra land. Or maybe he really wantsto go to war. Because time and time again he says and Julia your destruction keeps people honest. Despite knowing that we almost kill each other in the entire world at least three separate time. It's a dumb dangerous game

thecirclemadeit

I think it’s a little ridiculous to think that Ukraine and Zelensky is a crime family. They wouldn’t go to this length and stay in this war this long if that was the case.

Stop putting NATO on the borders of their country. Bro feels threatened.

Quidegosumhic

Recent peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended without significant progress. Agreements were reached to conduct a prisoner exchange, escalating tensions between the two nations.

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks and Prisoner Exchange Negotiations

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want