Russian president indicators ‘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 angle in direction of any peace initiatives” and that he hoped Kyiv would “really feel the identical means”.
Moscow and Kyiv have held no bilateral talks for the reason that instant aftermath of Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Nonetheless, the US has been elevating the strain 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 either side accused the opposite of violating – meant he was open to direct talks.
“When the president mentioned that it was attainable to debate the problem of not putting civilian targets, together with bilaterally, the president had in thoughts negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian aspect,” 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 deal with that Ukraine was “prepared for any dialog” a couple of ceasefire that will cease assaults on civilians.
Now, after Easter, the entire world can clearly see the true problem — the true purpose why the hostilities proceed. Russia is the supply of this warfare. It’s from Moscow that an actual order should come for the Russian military to stop hearth. And if there isn’t a such agency Russian order for… pic.twitter.com/jS9cTiRQqd
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyyua) April 21, 2025
On Sunday, Zelenskyy had proposed a follow-up to the truce that will “stop any strikes utilizing long-range drones and missiles on civilian infrastructure for a interval of at the very least 30 days”.
Putin mentioned Russia would “analyse every little thing and take the corresponding choices” however questioned how it might work, as he accused Ukraine of utilizing civilian buildings akin to eating places and universities for navy 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 opportunity of direct talks comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to stroll away from efforts to dealer a ceasefire until progress is made. On the identical time, he continued on Monday to specific hope {that a} deal is shut and will even be reached this week.
Negotiators from the US, Ukraine, United Kingdom and France are resulting from meet in London on Wednesday for one more spherical of talks on ending the warfare, Zelenskyy mentioned.
The discussions are a follow-up to an identical assembly in Paris final week.
At that assembly, Europe expressed its purple traces over Ukraine to the US, French Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrot mentioned on Tuesday.
He additionally recommended in an interview with francinfo radio that the Easter truce had been a advertising and marketing operation designed by Putin and aimed toward defusing Trump’s rising impatience over Russia’s failure to agree a ceasefire.
Amid the push for an finish to the preventing, wherein Trump seems prepared to simply accept lots of Moscow’s calls for and positive factors, Russia is raring to press dwelling its navy 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 navy had retaken the Gornal St Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery, one of many final positions held by Ukrainian troops within the Kursk area.
