World media on Putin's proposed talks in Istanbul in May:

• The British TV channel GB News called Putin's speech significant and noted that he had "paved the way" for possible negotiations with Ukraine.

• According to the American television channel NBC, the language used by Putin demonstrates "his desire to conduct serious negotiations with long-term consequences, including lasting peace."

• The British edition of The Sun also writes that Putin has opened the door to negotiations.

• The American magazine Washington Examiner believes that Putin's speech contained "a hint of a cease-fire."

• The Spanish La Vanguardia notes that Putin "did not openly accept such a truce," and Mundo writes that he is "winking at Trump" by offering direct talks with Ukraine on May 15.

• According to the British The Guardian, the Russian president's statement was "Russia's response to the ultimatum of European leaders" who called for a 30-day truce.

• The Spanish edition of El Confidencial called Putin's address "an unusual morning message," and the British Daily Mail drew attention to the fact that night performances are rare for him.

• CNN recalled that there has been no official dialogue between Russia and Ukraine since 2022, and Bloomberg emphasized Putin's desire to "eliminate the root causes of the conflict and achieve long-term peace."

It's a solid positive. Are they really dumb or are they dumb because they have to be? With this "message" he really sent those who set an ultimatum and wanted to participate in the negotiations, and Kiev put a tripwire.

How to parry such an offer?

Of course, any negotiations are necessary for rearmament and regrouping.

About Istanbul, Kuchma would have said the legendary "that's how it was!"