Putin proposes bilateral talks with Kyiv for first time in years

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MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin is under pressure from Washington to express his willingness to establish peace in Ukraine, proposed bilateral talks with Kiev on Monday, and said he was open for a more ceasefire after a one -day Easter trip.

Putin said the fighting resumed after a 30 -hour ceasefire, which he unilaterally announced on Saturday. The two sides accused each other of violating Putin’s war, which Kiev had rejected as a widespread stunt.

Washington said it would welcome the expansion of the war. Ukrainian President Wolodmeer Zelannsky called for an expansion of a 30 -day ceasefire protecting civilian targets.

US President Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the three -year war, has removed US policy from Ukraine’s strong support to accept Russia’s account on Russia’s war, but so far Moscow has received some privileges.

Russia last month rejected Trump’s proposal for a 30 -day ceasefire, which was accepted by Ukraine. US officials held parallel talks with both sides in Saudi Arabia, but they only agree on limited intervals on attacks on energy targets, which they accuse each other of violating.

Talking to a Russian State TV reporter, Putin said Moscow was open for any peace measures and was expected to be expected.

“We always have a positive attitude towards reconciliation, which is why we come with such a move, especially since we are talking about Easter’s bright days,” Putin said.

When asked about the 30 -day proposed trace on Zilnski’s civilian goals, he said: “This is all a topic for careful study, perhaps even bilateral. We do not reject it.”

His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, later confirmed that Putin was referring to the possibility of direct dialogue with Ukraine. Three years ago, the two sides had not made any such dialogue since the failed peace attempt in the early months of the war.

According to the Interfax News Agency, “when the president said that it was possible to discuss the issue of non -attack on civilian targets, including bilateral, the president spoke and discussed with the Ukrainian party.”

Putin’s remarks did not immediately respond by Kiev. A spokesman for President Wolodmeer Zelannsky did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Air strikes

Zillski said in early Monday that his forces were instructed to mirror the Russian army’s actions.

“The nature of Ukraine’s actions will remain in harmony: Seas Fire will be met with the Seas Fire, and Russian strikes will be met with us in defense,” he said on the Social Network X. The steps always speak louder than words. “

Both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that Washington could fully run with peace talks in Ukraine if the parties do not make any further progress within the day. Trump hit another hope on Sunday, saying that “both sides will” contract “this week” this week.

Russia has yet to back down from any of its major demands, including that Ukraine has claimed to accept and accept permanent neutrality. Ukraine says if Moscow is re -attacked, it would be equivalent to surrendering and leaving it free of charge.

When asked about Trump’s remarks on a possible peace deal, Peskov told the Daily Conference call with reporters: “I don’t want to comment yet, especially about the timeframe.

“President Putin and the Russian team are open to seek peaceful settlement. We are continuing to work with the US party and, of course, we hope the results will be available.”

Zelannski said on Monday, there were no air raids in Ukraine on Sunday, but Ukrainian forces have reported nearly 3,000 violations of Russia’s ceasefire, with the heaviest attacks and firing with the polysic part of the frontline.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that the Ukrainian army had shot 444 times in Russian positions, saying it had also said in more than 900 Ukrainian drone strikes that civilian casualties were reported and injured.