Ukraine is ready to talk directly with Moscow about ending the Russian invasion, which would be the first time since 2022, but only after a ceasefire comes into force, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today.
He made this announcement ahead of a new meeting in London that will bring together Americans, Ukrainians and Europeans with the aim of reaching a ceasefire in Ukraine, where fighting has been going on for more than three years.
"After the introduction of a ceasefire, we are ready to sit down (for negotiations) in any format," Zelensky said at a press conference in Kiev.
The previous day, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the possibility of resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine to discuss a ceasefire limited to strikes on civilian infrastructure.
The last direct talks between the two sides took place in the spring of 2022, at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and ended in failure.
Washington is currently holding separate talks with Kiev and Moscow. The White House confirmed today that US President Donald Trump's negotiator will visit Moscow this week.
It will be Witkoff's fourth visit to Russia since Trump relaunched Russian-American contacts in mid-February.
Trump, who wants the war to end as soon as possible, said on Sunday that he hopes an agreement between the two warring parties will be reached this week.
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