On Monday, April 21, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared his openness to direct peace talks with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said Kyiv is eager to discuss a halt to attacks on civilian targets.
For the first time in years, Putin has hinted at bilateral negotiations, following a failed Easter truce that both sides accused each other of violating. The announcement comes amidst mounting pressure from the United States, which has threatened to abandon peace efforts if progress isn’t made.
Putin told a state TV reporter that, “We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way.”
Historically, direct talks between Russia and Ukraine have been rare and fraught with tension. There have been no direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early weeks after Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Following the failed peace talks, the conflict has escalated, with devastating consequences for civilians and infrastructure on both sides.
Putin’s proposal includes discussions on halting strikes against civilian targets—a move that Ukraine has long demanded. Critics argue that Moscow’s history of targeting civilian infrastructure under the guise of military necessity undermines the credibility of these talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “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.”
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for an unconditional ceasefire as a starting point for lasting peace. President Zelensky said, “Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike at the very least civilian targets. And we are expecting a clear response from Moscow.” “We are ready for any conversation about how to achieve this.”
President Putin’s demands reportedly include Ukraine ceding Crimea and committing to permanent neutrality, conditions that Kyiv has categorically rejected. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have floated a controversial framework that would recognize Russian control of Crimea, raising questions about the West’s role in shaping the outcome.
