4 minutes agoPutin: We are open for bilateral talks with Zelensky
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that he is open for bilateral talks with Ukrainian leader Voldymyr Zelensky for the first time since the early stages of the war. Speaking to Russian state television on Monday, Putin said Russia “has always seen any peace initiatives positively. We hope that representatives of the regime [...]
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that he is open for bilateral talks with Ukrainian leader Voldymyr Zelensky for the first time since the early stages of the war.
Speaking to Russian state television on Monday, Putin said Russia “has always seen any peace initiatives positively. We hope that representatives of Kyiv's regime feel similarly”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin's comments showed a willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine not to hit civilian targets.
Zelensky did not directly respond to Putin's comments, but said Ukraine was “ready for any conversation” that would ensure the safety of civilians.
There has been no direct talks between the two sides since February 2022, when Russia began its full - scale invasion of Ukraine.
In comments to the Interfax news agency, Peskov said: “when the president said it was possible to discuss the issue of non-recognition of civilian targets, including the bilateral, the president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side”.
In his video night speech, Zelensky said Ukraine needs a “clear response from Moscow” if it would agree to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, fighting continued overnight with reports of drone attacks in the port city of Odessa.
Local authorities said three people were injured in the raid, with fires erupting and injuries to residential buildings.
Ukraine is scheduled to participate in talks with the United States and European countries this week in London, following a meeting in Paris last week, where leaders discussed ways to end the war.
Putin's proposal for direct talks comes after both sides have charged each other with violating a <x0th ..."the Easter truce” 30 hours long announced by Putin on Saturday, which has now expired. /Periscope/
