Russia gearing up for summer campaign, not negotiations, top security official says

Russia’s information space confirms its focus on a summer campaign, said Kovalenko, urging Kyiv to prevent Moscow from manipulating the dialogue and to maintain offensive capabilities.

He emphasized that Russia’s summer offensive must come at a high cost.

"Russia plans to keep pushing forward this summer and will try to drag things out and talk everyone into submission," added Kovalenko.

“They want to use the front line just like they did in 2015—as a manipulation tool.”

Proposal for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine 

On May 10, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv, holding a call with U.S. President Donald Trump to confirm Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire starting May 12.

"If Russia agrees and effective monitoring is ensured, there will be a reliable ceasefire, and confidence-building measures can pave the way for peace talks," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Starmer warned that any Russian counter-demands would be treated as a rejection of the ceasefire, with several countries ready to impose additional sanctions. 

That day, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks “without preconditions” with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 without addressing the 30-day ceasefire initiative. 

In his May 11 address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the ceasefire proposal remains “on the table.” 

“Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire — this proposal is on the table,” he said in a post on X.

“A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer. Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. We await a clear response from Russia.”

Zelenskyy also confirmed he will be in Türkiye on May 15, stating, “I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally.”

On May 12, Trump said he might attend the talks, but Reuters reported he would send envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, along with Secretary of State and acting national security adviser Marco Rubio, and others. 

Zelenskyy confirmed on May 13 he would travel to Ankara to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and proceed to Istanbul if Putin attends, stressing he would negotiate only with Putin, and invited Trump to join. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s delegation would “await” Ukraine in Istanbul, without disclosing its composition. 

The Washington Post reported that Russia might send Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov. 

Russian outlet Verstka suggested Putin’s attendance could hinge on Trump’s presence, while Kellogg noted Trump might attend if Putin does.