In a significant shift amid growing global pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is open to direct peace talks with Ukraine for the first time in years. This development comes just after a short-lived Easter ceasefire and growing frustration from the West over the prolonged conflict.
Putin’s Ceasefire and Call for Talks
Speaking to Russian state media, Putin acknowledged that fighting had resumed after a 30-hour unilateral ceasefire during the Orthodox Easter. Despite both sides blaming each other for violating the truce, Putin emphasized that Russia remained open to peace initiatives and expected similar openness from Kyiv.
“When the president said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, including bilaterally, he had in mind negotiations with the Ukrainian side,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified, according to Interfax.
Zelenskiy Sends Delegation to London
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy did not directly respond to Putin’s offer, he confirmed that Kyiv is sending a delegation to London on Wednesday. There, they will meet with representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, and France to discuss the ongoing war and possible peace terms.
“Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States—we are ready to move forward constructively to achieve an unconditional ceasefire and lasting peace,” Zelenskiy wrote on X, after speaking with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Washington Applies Pressure
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has demanded meaningful progress in peace talks, warning that it could withdraw support if no headway is made. While Trump expressed hope over the weekend that a deal could happen “this week,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that time was running out.
Despite the cautious optimism, Russia’s demands remain firm, including Ukraine ceding territory annexed by Moscow and agreeing to permanent neutrality—conditions that Kyiv continues to reject.
Tense Frontlines and Ongoing Strikes
Though Sunday saw a lull in air raid alerts across Ukraine, Zelenskiy reported nearly 3,000 ceasefire violations by Russian forces, especially around the Pokrovsk frontline. Russia, on the other hand, accused Ukraine of launching hundreds of drone attacks and artillery strikes.
Both sides continue to trade blame, but hopes are cautiously rising that the Putin peace offer could spark new momentum for negotiations.
As the world watches closely, the upcoming talks in London may mark a pivotal moment in the over three-year-old war.
