Putin suggests that Russia is open to direct conversations with Kyiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he was open to bilateral talks with Ukrainian leader Folodimir Zelinski for the first time since the early stages of the war.

Speaking to Russian state television on Monday, Putin said Russia “has always looked positively on any peace initiatives. We hope that the representatives of the Kiev regime will feel the same way.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin’s comments indicate ready to participate in direct talks with Ukraine about not hitting civilian goals.

Zelinski did not respond directly to Putin’s comments, but he said that Ukraine was “ready for any conversation” that would guarantee the safety of civilians.

There have been no direct talks between the two sides since February 2022, when Russia has launched a large -scale invasion of Ukraine.

In the comments on the Interfax News Agency, Peskov said: “When the president said it is possible to discuss the issue of not hitting civilian targets, including at the bilateral level, the president was in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side.”

In the night video address, Zelinski said that Ukraine needs a “clear answer from Moscow” about whether he will agree to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the fighting continued overnight with reports of drone strikes in the city of Odessa in a port.

The local authorities said that three people were injured in the raid, with the outbreak of fires and the damage of residential buildings.

Ukraine is scheduled to participate in talks with the United States and European countries this week in London, after a meeting in Paris last week, where leaders discussed paths to end the war.

Putin’s proposal for direct conversations comes after the two sides accused each other of violating the “Easter truce” announced by Putin for 30 hours on Saturday, which has ended now.

Zelinski said that the Russian forces have violated the ceasefire nearly 3000 times since the beginning of Sunday, while Russia has accused Ukraine of firing hundreds of drones and missiles. The BBC has not independently verified these allegations.

Both sides face increasing pressure from the United States, as Donald Trump threatened to do so “Take a pass” on more peace negotiations If no progress is made.