Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time since the early days of the war, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, while not directly responding to Putin’s call, expressed Ukraine’s readiness to discuss halting attacks on civilian targets, an issue that has been at the core of the war’s devastation.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s openness to discussions about a ceasefire that would prevent further strikes on civilian areas. However, he made it clear that Ukraine would only engage in talks if Russia was committed to halting its aggression. The two leaders are facing significant pressure from the United States, which has warned that it could pull away from its peace efforts unless meaningful progress is made in ending the conflict.
Despite the recent 30-hour Easter ceasefire declared unilaterally by Russia, which ended with both sides accusing each other of violations, Zelenskiy noted that Ukraine remains focused on achieving an unconditional ceasefire as the foundation for lasting peace. He also highlighted that Ukraine’s forces would continue to mirror Russian actions, responding to any attacks in kind.
Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine’s goal remains to push for an unconditional ceasefire during upcoming talks with U.S. and European officials in London. This meeting is a continuation of efforts initiated during a Paris gathering the previous week, where Western allies discussed strategies to resolve the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin’s proposal for talks included discussions about halting attacks on civilians and reiterated Russia’s openness to peace initiatives. However, Moscow’s terms, including Ukraine’s ceding of annexed territories and accepting permanent neutrality, remain a point of contention. Zelenskiy has rejected these demands, stating that they would effectively surrender Ukraine and leave it vulnerable to future Russian aggression.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for further negotiations amid ongoing international pressure. The United States, particularly through President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has expressed urgency, warning that it might abandon its efforts if no progress is made in the coming days.
