Russia Opens The Door To Talks But Keeps Bombing Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin publically expressed willingness to talk a ceasefire pinch Ukraine, marking nan first clip since early successful nan warfare that he has called for bilateral talks. The comments travel amid ongoing attacks and rising unit from nan Trump management for a negotiated settlement.

What did Putin opportunity astir negotiations pinch Ukraine?

Putin told Russian media connected Monday, April 21, that Moscow remains unfastened to bid initiatives and would see discussions pinch Kyiv astir halting strikes connected civilian targets, according to Reuters. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed Putin was referring to negotiations pinch Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Kyiv’s willingness to talk stopping nan unit and referred to his earlier connection for a 30-day halt connected long-range strikes targeting civilian sites. In consequence to Putin’s remarks, Zelenskyy said he expects a clear reply from Moscow.

How is nan US pressuring some sides?

President Donald Trump has accrued unit connected Russia and Ukraine to scope a woody and antecedently warned he whitethorn wantonness bid efforts if there’s nary progress. Trump wrote connected Truth Social that he hoped some sides would work together this week, claiming nan U.S. could use economically from nan resolution.

Talks involving Ukrainian, U.S. and European officials are group to proceed successful London. According to Russian authorities media, White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who has met pinch Putin 3 times since February, is expected to return to Moscow this week.

Are attacks still ongoing contempt ceasefire proposals?

Russian strikes continued crossed Ukraine connected Tuesday, April 22. Explosions successful Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv killed 1 personification and wounded much than 20 others, including children, according to section officials quoted by Reuters. Overnight attacks besides deed Odesa and areas adjacent Kyiv, damaging homes and vehicles.

These attacks followed a temporary 30-hour truce over nan Easter weekend, during which some sides accused nan different of violating nan ceasefire. Zelenskyy based on nan lull successful unit showed that Russia could take to trim civilian casualties if it wanted to.

Have Russia and Ukraine engaged successful talks recently?

The 2 countries person not held nonstop bid talks since nan early weeks of Russia’s full-scale penetration successful 2022. Instead, they’ve relied connected indirect negotiations, including captive swaps and talks connected limiting infrastructure attacks. A caller speech saw much than 500 prisoners returned.

Last summer, Russia and Ukraine were successful talks — mediated by Qatar— connected halting attacks connected power infrastructure. Those efforts collapsed aft cross-border incursions into Russia’s Kursk region.

What are each side’s demands?

Putin has called for nickname of Russian claims to annex Ukrainian territory and for Ukraine to adopt imperishable neutrality — position Kyiv rejects. Ukraine is pushing for an unconditional ceasefire arsenic a starting constituent for further negotiations.

“Ceasefire will beryllium met pinch ceasefire, and Russian strikes will beryllium met pinch our ain successful defense,” Zelenskyy wrote connected Telegram.

Despite ongoing hostilities, some sides look progressively motivated to show openness to negotiations, driven successful portion by negotiated unit from nan United States.