For the first time in years, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness for bilateral peace talks with Ukraine. This follows a brief Easter ceasefire and rising international pressure. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy confirmed Kyiv is sending a delegation to London for talks with Western allies. The talks aim to explore a potential end to the war, now in its fourth year.

BulletsIn

• Putin says Russia open to direct peace talks with Ukraine
• First such offer in years, amid U.S. pressure on Moscow
• Came after unilateral 30-hour Easter ceasefire by Russia
• Kyiv dismissed truce as a stunt; reported 3,000 violations
• Ukraine sends delegation to London for Western-backed talks
• London meeting follows last week’s Paris peace discussion
• Zelenskiy calls for a 30-day ceasefire focused on civilians
• U.S. warns of pulling out if talks stall; urges quick progress
• Russia wants Ukraine to cede annexed land, accept neutrality
• Kyiv says that demand equals surrender, rejects it firmly