DE Online Desk :
In a notable shift, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to direct peace negotiations with Ukraine, proposing bilateral talks for the first time in years.
The move comes amid mounting pressure from Washington for Moscow to demonstrate a genuine commitment to ending the war.
Speaking in a televised interview with a Russian state broadcaster on Monday, Putin also indicated his readiness to consider additional ceasefires following the brief 30-hour Easter truce he had declared unilaterally over the weekend.
Despite the symbolic truce, both Moscow and Kyiv traded blame for violations.
Ukraine dismissed the move as a publicity stunt, while Russia accused Ukrainian forces of continued aggression.
Hostilities quickly resumed once the truce ended.Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a Ukrainian delegation would travel to London this week for talks with the United States and other Western allies.
These discussions follow a similar round of diplomatic engagements in Paris last week, where Western leaders explored pathways toward resolving the over three-year-long conflict.
In a statement posted on social media, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to constructive dialogue with its partners.
“Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States — we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace,” he wrote.
He also noted productive conversations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
However, Zelensky made no direct mention of Putin’s comments about potential bilateral talks.
Instead, he emphasized a reciprocal approach on the battlefield: “The nature of Ukraine’s actions will remain symmetrical: ceasefire will be met with ceasefire, and Russian strikes will be met with our own in defense. Actions always speak louder than words.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin’s proposal involved discussions specifically related to avoiding strikes on civilian infrastructure.
“The president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side,” Peskov told reporters, according to Interfax.
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently warned that the United States could step away from mediation efforts if no meaningful progress is made in the coming days.
However, Trump struck a cautiously hopeful tone on Sunday, saying he believed a deal could be possible “this week.”Despite Putin’s overtures, Russia has not softened its core demands — namely, that Ukraine cede territories Moscow claims to have annexed and adopt a neutral stance.
Ukraine has consistently rejected these terms, calling them tantamount to surrender.Asked about Trump’s optimism, Peskov declined to comment on a timeline but reiterated Russia’s interest in a peaceful resolution.
“President Putin and the Russian side remain open to seeking a peaceful settlement. We are continuing to work with the American side and hope this will bring results,” he said.
While air raid sirens remained silent across Ukraine on Sunday, Zelensky reported nearly 3,000 violations of the ceasefire, with intense clashes near the Pokrovsk front.
Russia’s defense ministry, in turn, claimed Ukrainian forces carried out over 900 drone strikes and more than 400 artillery attacks, resulting in civilian casualties.As both sides dig in, hopes for a breakthrough remain tenuous — but the renewed diplomatic activity signals a possible opening in a long-stalled peace process.