For the First Time, President Vladimir Putin Expresses Willingness for Bilateral Talks with Ukraine

For the First Time, President Vladimir Putin Expresses Willingness for Bilateral Talks with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing growing pressure from Washington to demonstrate a commitment to peace in Ukraine, on Monday proposed bilateral talks with Kyiv for the first time. This marks the first such offer in several years, and he also indicated readiness for additional ceasefires following a one-day Easter truce.

Putin confirmed that fighting had resumed after a unilaterally declared 30-hour ceasefire on Saturday. Both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of violating the truce, although Ukraine dismissed it as a political maneuver. The United States welcomed the possibility of extending the pause in hostilities, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a 30-day truce to protect civilian areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has promised to end the three-year-old war swiftly, has shifted U.S. policy from strong support for Ukraine toward embracing Russia’s perspective. However, he has so far secured few concessions from Moscow.

Last month, Russia rejected a proposal by Trump for a full 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had accepted. U.S. officials held parallel discussions with both sides in Saudi Arabia, but an agreement was reached only on limited pauses in attacks on energy infrastructure—an agreement both sides later accused each other of violating.

Speaking to a Russian state TV reporter, Putin said Moscow welcomes any peace initiative and expects the same from Kyiv.

“We always have a positive attitude toward a truce, which is why we came up with such an initiative, especially during these bright Easter days,” Putin said.

When asked about Zelenskyy’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire on civilian targets, Putin responded, “This is a matter for serious consideration, possibly even bilaterally. We are not ruling it out.”

Later, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin was indeed referring to the possibility of direct negotiations with Ukraine. The two sides have not been known to hold any direct talks since a failed peace initiative in the early months of the war.

According to the Interfax news agency, Peskov stated: “When the President said that the issue of not striking civilian targets could be discussed, even bilaterally, he was referring to negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side.”