Putin says Russia ready for final Ukraine deal, not short ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Russia is ready to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the US, but only to negotiate a final peace agreement, not a short-term ceasefire. Putin commented Thursday on a US proposal for a high-level November meeting, saying discussions must address security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine, plus broader European security issues. He reiterated claims that occupied eastern Ukrainian territories are historically Russian land. The US proposal followed envoy Steve Witkoff's meetings with Putin in St. Petersburg and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Oslo. Russia continued heavy attacks on Ukraine Thursday, including ballistic missiles on Kyiv, with Zelenskyy saying Moscow shows no sincere desire to end the war.