Russian President Vladimir Putin has for the first time in over two years signalled that he may be open to resuming direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, marking a notable shift in tone amid ongoing conflict.
In a televised interview with Russian state broadcaster on Monday, President Putin stated that Russia has “always looked positively on any peace initiatives,” before adding, “We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way.”
The comments, which have since drawn global attention, are the clearest indication yet that the Kremlin may be willing to re-enter bilateral negotiations — a process that has been frozen since early 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified the President’s remarks in an interview with the Interfax news agency, stating that Putin was specifically referring to discussions focused on protecting civilians. “When the president said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, including bilaterally, the president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side,” Peskov said.
President Zelensky has yet to directly address Putin’s statement. However, in his nightly video address, the Ukrainian leader underlined that any serious dialogue must be rooted in the safety and protection of civilians. “We need a clear answer from Moscow on whether it will stop attacks on civilian infrastructure,” he said.
While the remarks suggest a tentative opening, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Overnight, the Ukrainian port city of Odessa was hit by a drone strike. Local authorities confirmed that three people had been injured, with several residential buildings damaged and fires breaking out in the aftermath.
The renewed hostilities follow the expiration of a 30-hour “Easter truce” proposed by Putin and announced on Saturday. Both sides have since accused one another of violating the short-lived ceasefire. President Zelensky claimed that Russian forces had breached the agreement nearly 3,000 times between Sunday and Monday, while Moscow alleged that Ukraine had launched hundreds of drone and artillery attacks. These claims have not been independently verified by the BBC or other international outlets.
Putin’s remarks come at a time when both Russia and Ukraine are facing mounting pressure from Western allies to make progress towards a diplomatic resolution. Ukraine is due to attend a fresh round of talks in London this week, involving senior officials from the US, the UK, and other European nations. The summit follows a similar high-level meeting in Paris last week, where leaders explored potential pathways to end the war.
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Notably, the apparent overture by the Kremlin coincides with a more assertive tone from US political figures. Former President Donald Trump, currently seeking the Republican nomination, has suggested he may “take a pass” on supporting future peace initiatives unless significant progress is made soon — a signal that time may be running out for diplomacy to prevail over military escalation.
While no immediate diplomatic breakthrough appears imminent, analysts say Putin’s comments may be an early indication that Russia is preparing for a shift in its strategy, particularly as economic and military strains mount.
Still, scepticism remains high in Kyiv and among Ukraine’s allies. As President Zelensky reiterated, Ukraine’s conditions for peace remain unchanged: a full withdrawal of Russian troops and guarantees for the safety and sovereignty of Ukrainian territory.
Until then, any suggestion of direct talks will be met with both caution and scrutiny, as the war grinds on into its third year, leaving devastation and uncertainty in its wake.
