Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again reiterated Russia’s readiness to resume peace talks with Ukraine without any preconditions, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The statement came following a three-hour meeting on Friday between Putin and Steven Witkoff, the special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“During yesterday’s conversation with Trump's envoy Witkoff, Vladimir Putin repeated that the Russian side is ready to resume the negotiation process with Ukraine without any preconditions,” Peskov told reporters.
The Kremlin emphasized that Putin had made similar offers previously, signaling Moscow’s consistent position in favor of a negotiated settlement.
The meeting between Putin and Witkoff was the fourth since the beginning of 2025, with Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov describing it as “constructive and very useful.”
U.S. President Trump also weighed in, calling the latest meeting “good” and suggesting that backchannel diplomacy between Moscow and Washington remains active despite public tensions.
In addition to the broader resumption of talks, Putin reportedly proposed that discussions start with agreements on minimizing civilian harm, particularly halting strikes on civilian infrastructure and non-military targets.
This reflects Russia’s stated goal of de-escalating the humanitarian crisis, while still pushing for a comprehensive settlement that addresses long-term security concerns and the root causes of the conflict.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture, as Trump’s administration grows increasingly impatient with Ukraine’s leadership over delays and perceived rigidity at the negotiating table — particularly regarding recognition of Crimea and neutrality issues.
Putin’s offer to engage without preconditions could shift pressure onto Kiev, especially if Washington continues to signal its willingness to prioritize conflict resolution over endless military support.
Moscow has consistently warned that temporary ceasefires without a political solution would only be exploited by Ukraine’s Western backers to rearm Kiev — emphasizing that any deal must address security guarantees and future neutrality.