Sky News: The Kremlin Has Been Taken By Surprise

This is a last ditch effort for Putin.

Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct talks with Ukraine is his latest attempt to avoid committing to a 30-day cease-fire. That said, the preparation for this announcement was extremely strange, and the announcement itself looked "hastily put together in a hallway," writes Sky News.

The publication notes that while the Kremlin called it a significant announcement by Vladimir Putin, his comments are exactly what Moscow has been saying for weeks, only with the addition of a date.

Thus, Putin offered to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 to discuss the details of a longer cease-fire. However, "the problem is that Turkey doesn't seem to know about it," Sky News writes, as Putin said he would call President Republican Recep Tayyip Erdogan tomorrow.

"Given America's apparent support for Europe's ultimatum to Russia (ceasefire or sanctions), he had to respond with something new. But this proposal looked as if it had been hastily concocted in a hallway on the street," the publication notes.

The preparation for this announcement was also extremely strange. At first it was announced that it would be a press conference where the media could ask questions, but a strong statement from Ukraine's European allies changed everything:

"It was originally intended as a summation of the bilateral meetings Putin held this week with the leaders of the countries that came to celebrate Victory Day. But the ultimatum from Europe seems to have taken the Kremlin by surprise."

But by the time Putin finally appeared closer to 2 a.m., there were no more questions, only a statement. As a result, it's unclear why journalists were invited, the publication notes.

When a SkyNews reporter was able to question Putin's press secretary, asking him if this was yet another stalling tactic on Russia's part, he was assured in response that "This is a very serious approach."

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]