Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready for peace talks with Russia “in any format” once a ceasefire is established. His comments come amid reports from the Financial Times that Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled a willingness to halt military action along current front lines and ease demands for full control of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
The move marks the first formal indication from Putin since the early months of the war that Moscow might soften its position. Analysts caution it could be a negotiation tactic. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy emphasized that no peace terms can be finalized until hostilities stop. He confirmed Ukraine would send a delegation to London for follow-up talks with U.S. and European officials, building on last week’s Paris meetings.
According to The Washington Post, U.S. officials have proposed freezing the current battle lines and potentially recognizing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea—an idea Kyiv opposes. Zelenskiy maintains that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits ceding any territory but has indicated openness to diplomatic solutions for regaining control over occupied areas.
Another key sticking point is Russia’s demand that Ukraine remain neutral and refrain from joining NATO. Ukraine, however, seeks the deployment of international peacekeepers as a security guarantee—something the Kremlin has firmly rejected.
In a surprise development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will no longer attend the London peace talks. Instead, Ukraine envoy General Keith Kellogg will represent Washington. Former President Trump has indicated he may abandon the peace effort if no breakthrough occurs soon but remains hopeful a deal can be reached this week.
Zelenskiy also said he is willing to meet Trump during the upcoming funeral of Pope Francis.