Ceasefire diplomacy gains momentum as both sides signal willingness to talk—with conditions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to bilateral peace negotiations with Ukraine for the first time in years, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed Kyiv’s willingness to engage in discussions—provided they lead to an end of attacks on civilian targets. The potential breakthrough comes as both leaders face mounting pressure from the U.S., which has warned it may withdraw from mediation efforts without tangible progress.
The overture follows a short-lived Easter ceasefire, which Moscow unilaterally declared but both sides accused each other of violating. Despite the breakdown, the temporary pause in fighting has renewed diplomatic momentum, with talks scheduled this week in London involving Ukrainian, U.S., and European officials. These discussions build on last week’s meeting in Paris, where Western powers explored pathways to ending the more than three-year conflict.
Putin, in remarks to Russian state television, framed Moscow’s position as consistently open to dialogue. “We have always supported peace initiatives,” he said. “We hope Kyiv’s representatives share this approach.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later clarified that Putin’s reference to halting strikes on civilian areas could be addressed through direct negotiations—a channel inactive since early 2022.
Zelensky, in his nightly address, reiterated Ukraine’s demand for an end to attacks on civilians as a prerequisite for talks. “We await a clear response from Moscow,” he said, emphasizing that the London talks must prioritize an “unconditional ceasefire” as the foundation for lasting peace. He dismissed the Easter truce as insufficient, citing ongoing Russian strikes, and vowed Ukraine’s military would respond “symmetrically” to any escalation.
The U.S. has cautiously endorsed extending the ceasefire but echoed Zelensky’s skepticism. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have set a near-term deadline for progress, with Trump noting Sunday that a deal could “hopefully” emerge this week.
The core dispute remains unresolved: Russia insists on Ukraine ceding occupied territories and adopting neutrality, terms Kyiv rejects as tantamount to surrender. Peskov reiterated Moscow’s commitment to a “peaceful settlement,” but the gulf between the two sides’ positions suggests a rocky path ahead. As diplomacy intensifies, the world watches whether words will translate into a sustained halt to bloodshed—or merely another pause in a protracted war.
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