Hey, Mr. Putin, go to Istanbul and let’s get negotiating, says Brazilian President

Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva has announced his intention to personally persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul.

As reported by BILD, he stated that he would make a stop in Moscow on his way back from China and would try to speak with Putin.

"I can calmly say, 'Hey, Mr. Putin, go to Istanbul and let’s get negotiating,'" Lula said.

It is noteworthy that Putin proposed on May 11 to hold direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul without preconditions. Zelensky has expressed his expectation for Putin's personal participation, but the Kremlin has yet to make any statement.