Putin Indicates Willingness for Talks with Ukraine Amid Continuous Strikes

In a recent televised statement, Putin suggested the possibility of direct discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding peace initiatives, marking a notable shift since the onset of the conflict in February 2022. Following his remarks, however, Russian military operations persisted unabated, with multiple strikes reported across Ukraine, including a lethal attack on an apartment building in Zaporizhzhia, which claimed one life and left over 20 others injured. Russian strikes also targeted Kharkiv, Odesa, and other regions, prompting Zelensky to denounce the assaults as "deliberate Russian terror." He reiterated Ukraine's commitment to a 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at protecting civilians and called for a clear response from Moscow. Meanwhile, the Kremlin reiterated that discussions on minimizing civilian-targeted strikes would be evaluated, even as the war continues to escalate.

Zelensky's upcoming discussions with US and European leaders in London aim to advocate for an unconditional ceasefire, amid skeptical perspectives on Putin's intentions for genuine dialogue.