Putin Repeats Readiness for Trilateral Talks on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow's readiness for trilateral talks to end the war against Ukraine, agreeing to resume dialogue with Kyiv mediated by Washington during a meeting with US envoy Steven Witkoff. In an interview published Thursday, Putin said the talks would address security guarantees for both countries after final peace agreements, not a short-term ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness for a trilateral meeting, but the Kremlin has previously rejected this or imposed conditions Kyiv deemed unserious. Putin rejected a proposed frontline freeze, calling the territory "historical Russia," and claimed genetic research proves Russians and Ukrainians are "one people," while blaming Kyiv for continued fighting. Previous negotiation attempts have yielded no tangible results.