Vladimir Putin expressed, for the first time in years, the desire to hold direct conversations with Ukraine. The president of Russia opens the door to a new diplomatic movement, at a time when the pressure of the United States increases so that both parties reach a high fire agreement.
Speaking to the Russian state press on Monday, Putin said that Moscow is open to discuss the possibility of suspending attacks against civil infrastructure directly with kyiv, referring to the “Easter truce” declared by Russia during the weekend. The two partsThey were accused To violate this truce.
“We have a positive attitude towards all peace initiatives,” Putin said. “We hope that the representatives of the kyiv regime have the same opinion.”
Putin acknowledged that recent Russian attacks have reached civil infrastructure, Kill. But he said, without evidence, that these objectives were being used for military purposes. “That’s what we have to do … maybe bilaterally,” he added.
Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, later confirmed that Putin referred to possible negotiations with Ukraine, saying: “The president took into account negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side.”
Ukraine remains open to dialogue, says Zelenskyy
Ukraine has no direct conversations with Russia since the first weeks of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is still open to dialogue if he can lead to significant progress. In Monday’s night speech, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine is “ready for any conversation” about the end of the war and the end of the attacks against civilians.
He also proposed a high 30 -day fire, with the aim of finishing the attacks with long -range missiles and drones against civil areas, an idea that Russia has not yet accepted.
In an X position, Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine, together with the United States, the United Kingdom and France, is prepared to continue “a high unconditional fire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace.”
Increased international pressure
The pressure for negotiations arises at a time when the United States has adopted a more energetic position to end the conflict. The Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, warned last week that Washington could give up mediation in the “days” if there were no visible progress.
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, echoed this feeling, On Monday, stating that there is a “very good hypothesis” of a high fire soon, but underlines the need for both parties to show “enthusiasm for wanting to end this.”
Washington supported the peace staff supposedly includes controversial concessions, such as the recognition of Annexation of Crimea by Russia and the impediment of Ukraine to join NATO. These are Russian demands for a long time to contradict the red lines declared publicly by Ukraine.
Zelenskyy previously declared that Ukraine would not recognize any of the territories occupied by Russia, considering this non -negotiable recognition.
Even so, the conversations continue. This week, in London, the Ukrainian responsible is expected to meet with American, British and French counterparts to discuss the United States peace plan, based on discussions in Paris last month.
The Trump administration is also coordinating a separate meeting with Moscow.
ADVERTISINGAs the war extends for the third year, the next few days can determine if diplomacy can finally pave the path for peace or disagreements in fundamental issues will block negotiations.
