Russia has said it is willing to hold direct talks with Ukraine without any preconditions, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. However, Mr Lavrov criticised Kyiv's call for a 30-day ceasefire, claiming it amounted to a condition in itself. The remarks, reported on Telegram, come amid renewed diplomatic activity and pressure for a temporary halt to hostilities ahead of international summits. Russia's position appears aimed at shifting blame onto Ukraine for the lack of progress, despite its own continued aggression on the battlefield.
Earlier, Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media that Zelensky's proposal was "impossible ... without resolving all the nuances". Putin also prevously ordered a 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to reciprocate. However, each side accused the other of failing to halt its attacks. US President Donald Trump has pledged to end the three-year conflict but expressed scepticism about Russia's willingness to negotiate a peace deal last week amid continuing attacks on Ukraine.
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