Vladimir Putin is seeking to signal the US that he's open to talks about ending Russia's war in Ukraine, per Bloomberg.
He has indirectly reached out to the United States to signal his willingness for discussions, possibly including future security arrangements for Ukraine, as per two individuals with close ties to the Kremlin.
US officials claim they are not aware of the reported attempts, which could be a trial balloon, and they see no evidence that the Russian president is genuinely seeking a way to end the ongoing conflict that has turned into a deadly stalemate entering its third year.
Even if insincere, hints of Russian openness to talks could potentially create divisions among Ukraine’s allies, isolating Kyiv and undermining President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s efforts to garner support for his own peace plan, calling for a complete Russian withdrawal.
Sources close to the Kremlin, requesting anonymity, mentioned that these signals were conveyed to senior US officials last month through an undisclosed intermediary. Putin may be open to dropping the insistence on Ukraine's neutral status and could even consider abandoning opposition to eventual NATO membership – a significant justification for the invasion.
However, any such consideration would come with a condition that Kyiv has firmly rejected – acknowledging Kremlin control over territory it currently occupies in about 18% of Ukraine, including land seized since the beginning of the invasion two years ago.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to the matter, stating, “President Putin has stated numerous times that Russia was, is and will continue to be open for negotiations on Ukraine. We are determined to reach our goals. And would prefer to complete it by diplomatic means. If not, the military operation will be continued till we reach our goals.”
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson stated, “We are unaware of the shifts in Russia’s position described. It will be up to Ukraine to decide whether, when and how to negotiate with Russia.”
While the US remains open to talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when asked about prospects for a negotiated long-term cease-fire, mentioned, “There has to be a willingness on the part of Russia to engage, to negotiate in good faith, based on the basic principles that have been challenged by its aggression — territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence.”
