For the first time in nearly three years, Vladimir Putin said that he is open to direct talks with Ukraine, although he has demanded the replacement of Volodymyr Zelenskyy before such talks can take place. “We have always said that we are open to any peace initiative. We hope the representatives of the ‘Kyiv regime’ feel the same,” said the Russian president.
Zelenskyy, without directly responding to Putin’s statements, expressed his willingness to discuss a potential halt to attacks on non-military targets. “Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike non-military targets. We expect a clear response from Moscow. We are ready to discuss how this can be achieved,” said the Ukrainian president. At the same time, he accused Moscow of violating the 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which it had declared, over 2,000 times, with Russia accusing Ukraine of violations.
Ukraine, the US, the UK, and France are set to meet on Wednesday in France to continue peace talks.
Putin’s statement follows US threats to both Russia and Ukraine that they would abandon peace efforts if no progress is made, according to the Guardian. The last direct talks between the two sides occurred in the early weeks after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Ukraine is set to participate in peace talks with the US and European countries (UK, France) tomorrow, Wednesday, in London, following their meeting in Paris last week.
What is fyi.news?
