Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct peace talks with Ukraine in a new initiative aimed at ending the war that began in February 2022. The unexpected overture, announced Sunday in Moscow, marks the first formal proposal of face-to-face negotiations between the two sides in over a year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the possibility of dialogue but emphasized that any talks would require an immediate Russian ceasefire. “We are willing to talk,” Zelensky said, “but Moscow must first stop the attacks.”
Putin’s move comes after more than three years of devastating conflict that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians, destroyed entire cities, and caused one of the largest refugee crises in Europe since World War II.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has since become a protracted and grinding conflict, with neither side achieving a decisive military victory. It has also driven a deep wedge between Russia and the West, reviving Cold War-level tensions and prompting widespread sanctions on Moscow.
While both Kyiv and Western allies have remained skeptical of past Russian overtures, this latest proposal is being viewed cautiously by global leaders as a possible opening for diplomacy.
Details of the proposed framework or format for talks have not been disclosed, but Kremlin sources say Putin’s offer includes a willingness to discuss territorial status, future security guarantees, and humanitarian issues.
Ukraine has consistently insisted that any negotiations must involve full respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the return of territories occupied by Russian forces. Kyiv has also demanded accountability for war crimes and international security guarantees.
Whether Putin’s proposal represents a genuine shift or a tactical maneuver remains unclear. However, the public nature of the offer and the immediate response from Zelensky signal a rare moment of potential diplomatic momentum in an otherwise entrenched war.
