Vladimir Putin says Russia is 'open to any peace talks' with Ukraine after one-day Easter truce
Moscow/IBNS: Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under pressure from the US for a peace deal with Ukraine, on Monday proposed bilateral talks with Kyiv for the first time in years.
He said he was open to more ceasefires following a one-day Easter truce.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv was sending a delegation to London to meet with the United States and other Western countries on Wednesday.
The talks are a follow-up to a meeting in Paris last week during which the US and European states discussed ways to end the more than three-year-old war.
Speaking to a Russian state TV reporter, Putin said fighting had resumed after his 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which he announced unilaterally on Saturday.
Both countries accused the other of violating Putin's truce, which Kyiv had largely dismissed from the outset as a stunt.
The US said it would welcome an extension of the truce.
Zelenskyy, who has called for it to be extended to a 30-day ceasefire on civilian targets, said continued Russian attacks during Sunday's ceasefire showed Moscow's intent on continuing the war.
Now, after Easter, the whole world can clearly see the real issue — the real reason why the hostilities continue. Russia is the source of this war. It is from Moscow that a real order must come for the Russian army to cease fire. And if there is no such firm Russian order for… pic.twitter.com/jS9cTiRQqd
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2025
In his comments, Putin said Moscow was open to any peace initiatives and expected the same from Kyiv.
"When the president said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, including bilaterally, the president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Interfax news agency.
Zelenskyy did not refer to Putin's remarks on bilateral talks in his comments on X announcing the Ukrainian delegation for the London talks.
"Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States - we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before, to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace," he wrote, adding that he had good discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
I spoke with UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer — a good and detailed conversation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2025
Already this Wednesday, our representatives will be working in London. Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States — we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just… pic.twitter.com/cLHexIi5UY
Earlier the the day, Zelenskyy said that his forces were instructed to continue to mirror the Russian army's actions.
"The nature of Ukraine's actions will remain symmetrical: ceasefire will be met with ceasefire, and Russian strikes will be met with our own in defence. Actions always speak louder than words," he said on X.
Both US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington DC will walk away from peace talks altogether if the sides do not make more progress within days.
Trump on Sunday said that "hopefully" the two sides would make a deal "this week".
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

Gunfire near White House: Two National Guard soldiers shot as Afghan national suspect arrested
Two National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday after they were shot by a gunman, identified as an Afghan national, less than two blocks from the White House, authorities said.

Horror in Hong Kong: Death toll hits 44 as massive blaze continues, hundreds missing
The death toll from a massive fire that swept through residential apartments in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has climbed to 44, with around 270 people still unaccounted for, authorities said on Thursday.

USCIS unveils major change hours after Afghan national shoots two National Guard members near White House
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday announced it is suspending all immigration processing for Afghan nationals following a shooting near the White House that left two National Guard soldiers critically injured.

Washington National Guard shooter had past service with US-backed Afghan forces: Sources
Washington/IBNS: A 29-year-old Afghan man arrested for shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House had previously served alongside US forces, sources said.
Latest News

Dumping of construction materials by Khowai Municipality causes frequent road mishaps

IG-BSF visits Tripura University, interacts with students

Unity ride powers through Ambassa to Bagbasa by Assam Rifles

Security forces seized large quantities of dry Ganja

