Putin Proposes Direct Talks with Ukraine; Zelenskiy Signals Readiness to Discuss Ceasefire on Civilian Attacks
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested holding direct bilateral discussions with Ukraine for the first time since the early phase of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, while not directly responding to Putin’s offer, reiterated in his nightly address that Ukraine is open to discussions focused on ending attacks on civilian areas.
Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine is “ready for any conversation” aimed at establishing a ceasefire that would halt assaults on non-military targets.
Both leaders are under mounting pressure from the United States, which has indicated it may pull back from its peace efforts unless tangible progress is made.
Russia and Ukraine have each expressed willingness to consider additional ceasefires following Moscow’s 30-hour Easter truce over the weekend. However, each side accused the other of breaching the agreement.
Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine would participate in talks with the U.S. and European nations in London on Wednesday. These discussions follow a Paris meeting the previous week, where Western allies explored pathways to ending the war, now extending beyond three years.
In a conversation with a Russian state television reporter, Putin acknowledged the resumption of combat following the unilateral Easter ceasefire he declared on Saturday. He reaffirmed Moscow’s openness to peace proposals and called for a similar stance from Kyiv.
“We’ve always maintained a positive outlook on peace efforts,” Putin told Pavel Zarubin. “We hope representatives of the Kyiv regime share that view.”
Later, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov elaborated via Interfax news agency, stating: “When the president said discussions about not targeting civilians were possible, including on a bilateral basis, he meant direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there have been no formal direct negotiations between the two governments.
Ceasefire Discussions and Civilian Protection
Speaking to journalists in Moscow on April 21, 2025, President Putin expressed his willingness to revisit dialogue with Kyiv. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy, in his video message, reaffirmed Ukraine’s stance on halting strikes against civilian targets and its readiness to engage in any talks necessary to achieve that goal. A previous proposal, jointly supported by the U.S. and Ukraine, had suggested a 30-day ceasefire.
“Ukraine stands by its offer to refrain from attacking civilian areas,” Zelenskiy said. “We are waiting for a clear answer from Moscow. We’re open to any form of discussion to make this happen.”
He stated that the goal of the upcoming London meeting is to push for a total, unconditional ceasefire, which he described as the essential first step.
Earlier on Monday, Zelenskiy had declared that such a ceasefire would serve as a foundation for establishing a durable peace.
The United States has welcomed the idea of extending the truce. However, Zelenskiy pointed to continued Russian attacks during the Easter ceasefire as evidence that Moscow was seeking to prolong the conflict.
He also mentioned that Ukrainian forces were ordered to mirror Russian military behavior.
“Ukraine’s military strategy will remain symmetrical,” Zelenskiy wrote on X. “Ceasefire will be met with ceasefire, and Russian strikes will be met with defensive responses. What matters most is action, not just words.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Friday that if no progress is made, the U.S. may withdraw from the peace process within days. Trump struck a more hopeful tone on Sunday, expressing optimism that an agreement might be reached “this week.”
Russia’s conditions for peace include Ukraine recognizing the territories annexed by Putin and declaring permanent neutrality. Ukraine has rejected those demands, arguing that such terms would equate to surrender and leave the country vulnerable to future attacks.
“President Putin and the Russian side remain committed to finding a peaceful resolution,” Peskov said. “We continue our cooperation with the American side and hope that these efforts will bear fruit.”
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