Russian President Vladimir Putin has finally broken his silence after the failed Istanbul peace talks. In his first post-talks statement, Putin said Russia has “ample forces” to finish what it started in 2022 and vowed to protect Russian speakers and “homelands.” He warned the West while calling for “long-term sustainable peace.” The U.S. has resumed diplomatic contact, with Lavrov and Marco Rubio holding a phone call. But no ceasefire emerged from the May 16 meeting in Turkey.