Earlier in the day, Putin suggested resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 UNITED NATIONS, May 11. /TASS/. The UN Secretariat will refrain from commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume direct talks with Kiev in Istanbul. "I don't have a comment," Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told TASS. Earlier in the day, Putin suggested resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15.