The Kremlin confirmed: Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate with Ukraine without any preconditions
During a challenging and tense period of military actions in Ukraine, Russian leader Vladimir Putin made an important statement that could influence the course of the conflict. According to information disclosed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, during a recent meeting with U.S. special envoy Stephen Vitkoff on April 25, the Russian president reaffirmed his openness to initiating negotiations with Ukraine without any reservations or preconditions. As stated by a Kremlin representative in comments to Russian media, Vladimir Putin emphasized during his conversation with Donald Trump’s envoy that Russia is prepared to restart dialogue with Kyiv without any additional demands or prerequisites. This represents one of the few shifts in Russia’s stance, occurring amid prolonged diplomatic isolation and internal difficulties in conducting negotiations. Peskov added that such a decision is not unusual for the Russian leadership, as Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue and seek compromises. He noted that this position remains unchanged and demonstrates Russia’s desire to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Regarding the preconditions for negotiations, Vitkoff believes that the absence of such conditions is a significant step toward constructive dialogue. He confirmed his readiness to meet with Russian authorities, emphasizing that this meeting could serve as the beginning of a gradual restoration of direct contacts between Moscow and Kyiv. Just the day before, on Friday, April 25, a fourth meeting since the beginning of the year took place between Vladimir Putin and Stephen Vitkoff. The Kremlin characterizes this meeting as an opportunity for "additional rapprochement of Russia and the USA on a number of current international issues." At the same time, official statements from Kremlin representatives mention that the parties discussed possibilities of "restoring direct negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine," which is quite relevant given the prolonged diplomatic breaks and conflict efforts. Regardless of the details, which are currently classified or still being finalized, this indicates an intention by the Kremlin to change the direction of diplomatic efforts. Confirming readiness for negotiations without preconditions could become a significant milestone in the search for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has caused human tragedies and destruction for many months. Time will tell whether this initiative can gain support from Kyiv and the international community, and how effectively it can influence the course of the war and further settlement of the situation.