Putin: Talks Must Address Security for Russia, Ukraine, and Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that future negotiations to resolve the war in Ukraine should focus on security guarantees for both countries and a broader European security framework. Speaking to Russian television a day after meeting U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin confirmed Russia is ready to resume U.S.-mediated talks with Ukraine next month. He reiterated Moscow's longstanding position that Russia never wanted war but faced hostile reactions from Ukraine on key issues. Putin said the goal is a final peace agreement rather than a short-term ceasefire, and he agreed with Witkoff that discussions should extend to European security architecture. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met Witkoff in Norway on Tuesday, said Ukraine supports any ceasefire or peace proposals. U.S.-led efforts stalled in February amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Territorial disputes remain central, with Russia demanding Ukraine cede the Donbas region, which Putin called "historically Russian land," citing referendums held seven months after Moscow's invasion.