Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed he is willing to restart direct talks with Ukraine aimed at brokering a ceasefire. However, overnight Russian missile and drone attacks across the country have cast fresh doubt on Moscow’s commitment to any meaningful cessation of hostilities.
Speaking to Russian state television on Monday, Putin said Russia has « always looked positively on any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin’s comments indicated a willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine about not striking civilian targets.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin’s comments indicated a willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine about not striking civilian targets.
He told the Russian state news agency Interfax: « 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. »
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not respond directly to Putin’s comments but stated that Ukraine was « ready for any conversation » which would ensure the safety of civilians.
In his nightly video address, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine needed a « clear answer from Moscow » on whether it would agree to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Despite these statements, Russian forces conducted extensive drone and missile attacks across Ukraine overnight.
In Odesa, at least three people were injured, and fires broke out in residential areas after a mass drone attack targeted civilian infrastructure, including an educational facility.
In the Kherson region, three civilians were killed during the 30-hour Easter ceasefire declared by Putin. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia violated the ceasefire over 2,900 times, including artillery shellings and drone strikes.
Drone strikes have been reported across the country today, including another in Kherson targeting a hospital, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue, with Ukraine set to join representatives of the US, UK, and France in London on Wednesday. This follows a meeting in Paris last week in which leaders discussed pathways to end the war.
Mr Zelensky said the talks’ « primary task » would be « to push for an unconditional ceasefire. »
Speaking at the weekend, US President Donald Trump predicted there was a « very good chance » of a deal.
However, Kyiv is concerned that his peace proposal will include unacceptable concessions, such as recognising Crimea as Russian territory and blocking Ukraine from joining NATO.
Mr Zelensky has previously said he would be prepared to meet directly with Mr Putin to end the conflict, but he has emphasised that any agreement must respect Ukraine‘s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Peace talks did take place in Belarus and later in Turkey in March 2022, but they collapsed without agreement. Since then, most diplomatic efforts have been indirect or mediated via third parties, often in multilateral formats.
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