Russian president alerts ‘constructive’ outlook on bilateral peace talks after Ukraine proposed a 30-day ceasefire.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he’s open to the prospect of direct talks with Ukraine.
Putin informed Russian state TV on Monday that he had a “constructive perspective in the direction of any peace initiatives” and that he hoped Kyiv would “really feel the identical approach”.
Moscow and Kyiv have held no bilateral talks for the reason that rapid aftermath of Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Nonetheless, the US has been elevating the stress on them to comply with a ceasefire.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Putin’s feedback, following the expiry of a 30-hour Easter truce – which all sides accused the opposite of violating – meant he was open to direct talks.
“When the president mentioned that it was doable to debate the problem of not putting civilian targets, together with bilaterally, the president had in thoughts negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian facet,” mentioned Peskov, quoted by Russia’s Interfax information company.
Whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn’t reply on to Putin’s proposal, he signalled in his nightly video tackle that Ukraine was “prepared for any dialog” a few ceasefire that may cease assaults on civilians.
Now, after Easter, the entire world can clearly see the actual situation — the actual purpose why the hostilities proceed. Russia is the supply of this struggle. It’s from Moscow that an actual order should come for the Russian military to stop fireplace. And if there isn’t a such agency Russian order for… pic.twitter.com/jS9cTiRQqd
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2025
On Sunday, Zelenskyy had proposed a follow-up to the truce that may “stop any strikes utilizing long-range drones and missiles on civilian infrastructure for a interval of not less than 30 days”.
Putin mentioned Russia would “analyse the whole lot and take the corresponding choices” however questioned how it will work, as he accused Ukraine of utilizing civilian buildings equivalent to eating places and universities for army functions.
Zelenskyy pressed Putin additional on Monday, saying Ukraine stood by its supply – “on the very least, to not strike civilian infrastructure” – and that he anticipated a “clear reply” from Moscow.
The potential for direct talks comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to stroll away from efforts to dealer a ceasefire except progress is made. On the similar time, he continued on Monday to precise hope {that a} deal is shut and will even be reached this week.
Negotiators from the US, Ukraine, United Kingdom and France are because of meet in London on Wednesday for one more spherical of talks on ending the struggle, Zelenskyy mentioned.
The discussions are a follow-up to an identical assembly in Paris final week.
Amid the push for an finish to the combating, by which Trump seems prepared to simply accept a lot of Moscow’s calls for and features, Russia is keen to press house its army benefit on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s air drive reported one other in a single day barrage on Tuesday, with Russia launching 54 drones.
In the meantime, Russian media mentioned the army had retaken the Gornal St Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery, one of many final positions held by Ukrainian troops within the Kursk area.
