Putin and Kyiv signal openness to Ukraine peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine is possible, while Kyiv signaled a renewed diplomatic push, marking a rare upbeat assessment after four and a half years of conflict. Putin, speaking at an economic forum, said countries including the US and China are ready to support a settlement, but stressed that Russia and Ukraine must resolve the problem themselves. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he expects a "new dynamic" in peace efforts, without providing specifics. Neither side cited concrete reasons for progress, and Putin said Ukrainian attacks on civilian ships and reported threats to aircraft complicate talks. Ukraine has urged the UN to ban flights in Russian airspace, while India's prime minister called for an end to the fighting.