Putin Suddenly Opens to Bilateral Talks With 'Kyiv Regime'

Putin signals openness to Ukraine talks amid conflict; Zelenskyy wants civilian protection; Trump administration pressures both sides for progress.

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The landscape of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has shifted once again, with Russian President Vladimir Putin signaling a potential change in his stance towards negotiations. Putin has said, for the first time in years, that he is open to bilateral talks with Ukraine – a significant departure from his previous demands for the removal of Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a prerequisite for any such dialogue. This development coincides with Zelenskyy's own statement, indicating Kyiv's readiness for discussions aimed at halting attacks on civilian targets. The confluence of these statements, however, is set against a backdrop of continued battlefield hostilities, international diplomatic maneuvering, and internal political pressures within both Ukraine and Russia.

Zelenskyy, whom Putin has repeatedly and falsely labeled an illegitimate president, addressed the nation in his nightly video address, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to avoiding civilian casualties. "Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike at the very least civilian targets. And we are expecting a clear response from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation about how to achieve this," Zelenskyy stated, indicating a willingness to engage in a dialogue focused on de-escalating the conflict and protecting non-combatants. This stance underscores Ukraine's consistent efforts to seek a diplomatic resolution, even amidst the ongoing aggression.