Putin signals willingness to resume peace talks on Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to resuming peace negotiations with Ukraine, marking a potential shift in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. The announcement followed a meeting between Putin and American envoy Steve Witcoff in Saint Petersburg, according to reports on Monday.

The discussions between the Russian leader and the U.S. representative focused on the possibility of initiating fresh talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Putin's agreement to participate in such trilateral negotiations suggests a renewed diplomatic avenue after months of escalating military tensions.

The proposed talks would represent a significant development in efforts to bring the two-year conflict to a negotiated settlement. Diplomatic channels between the warring nations have remained largely stalled, with previous peace initiatives failing to gain traction.

Details regarding the proposed framework for negotiations, including timeline and venue, remain unclear. The statement reflects broader international pressure on both Russia and Ukraine to pursue peaceful resolution of their dispute through dialogue rather than continued military engagement.