Putin Open to US-Backed Ukraine Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that a U.S.-backed peace proposal is a starting point for talks to end the war in Ukraine. Putin's comments came during a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he emphasized that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from occupied territories before hostilities can cease. The proposal, initially put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump, has undergone revisions following criticism that it favored Russian demands. Despite Putin's apparent openness to negotiations, analysts believe he is attempting to outwait Western commitment to supporting Ukraine. The conflict continues, with ongoing fighting and Russian claims of battlefield momentum being disputed by the Institute for the Study of War.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in using former US President Donald Trump's peace plan as a starting point for negotiations to end the nearly four-year war between Ukraine and Russia. Putin stated that if Ukrainian troops withdraw from occupied territories, hostilities will cease, but if they don't, Russia will achieve its goals by force. The US peace proposal was initially criticized for being skewed towards Russian demands, but an amended version emerged from talks in Geneva between American and Ukrainian officials. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Moscow next week, while US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may be heading to Kyiv. Critics, including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, believe Putin is seeking to trick the US and EU, and that peace under Putin is unachievable.

The article discusses the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and the efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution through negotiations. Despite progress, the talks are stalled due to disagreements over territorial concessions. Ukrainian officials are hesitant to surrender land to Russia, while Russia continues to launch attacks on Ukrainian cities. Experts and officials from various countries, including the US, Ukraine, and Russia, are involved in the negotiations, with some expressing concerns about Russia's intentions and the pressure on Ukraine to compromise. The article highlights the complexities of the conflict and the challenges in achieving a lasting peace.