Are there initial signs of peace between Russia and Ukraine? Putin proposed for the first time to hold talks with Ukraine

(Moscow/Kyiv) Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the first bilateral talks with Ukraine since the outbreak of the war and expressed his willingness to discuss the issue of avoiding attacks on civilian targets. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not respond directly, he reaffirmed that Kyiv is ready to hold talks on the relevant ceasefire arrangements.

Putin said in an interview with Russian media on Monday (April 21) : "We hold a positive attitude towards any peace initiative." We hope that the representatives of the regime in Kyiv can also hold the same idea. He pointed out that Moscow is willing to consider the proposal put forward by the Ukrainian side regarding the cessation of attacks on civilian targets and holds an open position towards such bilateral negotiations.

In his video address that night, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine "is ready to stop any dialogue on attacks against civilians" and said: "We are waiting for a clear response from Moscow."

Both Putin and Zelensky are facing pressure from the United States. US President Trump warned the other day that if Moscow and Kyiv lack sincerity in negotiations, the United States "will no longer be involved in mediation". However, he told the media on Monday, "The chances of Ukraine and Russia reaching an agreement this week are very high."

The Ukrainian delegation will travel to London on Wednesday (the 23rd) to hold a new round of consultations with representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, France and other countries on the ceasefire plan. This is the follow-up contact between the United States and Europe to promote the peace process between Russia and Ukraine following the Paris meeting last week, with the goal of ending the war that has lasted for more than three years.

Insiders disclosed that the plan proposed by the United States advocates freezing the current frontline situation and allowing Russia to retain substantive control over parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. In exchange, Ukraine's goal of joining NATO will be put on hold, but the agreement needs to include a security guarantee mechanism for Ukraine to ensure its enforceability.

Zelensky said that the top priority of the London conference is to promote an unconditional ceasefire, which must be the starting point of the peace process.

The Kremlin earlier stated that it welcomes the Trump administration's clear opposition to Ukraine's accession to NATO and said it is satisfied with this.