Putin states Russia ready for new discussions with Ukraine

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Moscow is prepared to enter a third round of peace talks with Ukraine, emphasizing that discussions should focus on draft agreements from both sides aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

Speaking in Minsk on Friday after a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, Putin told reporters that the heads of the Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams remain in regular contact. He said that the next round of negotiations will be based on the draft proposals exchanged earlier this month, though the time and location still need to be finalized.

“These proposals reflect two completely opposing positions. That’s normal — negotiations exist to try to narrow such gaps,” Putin said. He declined to share further details, noting it would be inappropriate to speak publicly ahead of formal talks.

During the last round of negotiations in Istanbul, both sides presented their visions for a possible peace roadmap and agreed on a prisoner exchange. Russia also committed to returning the remains of fallen Ukrainian soldiers as a humanitarian gesture. Putin said Russia has so far handed over 6,000 bodies and is prepared to return nearly 3,000 more, awaiting Ukraine’s response.

He noted that the completion of this process was meant to pave the way for the next round of talks. Putin also expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for supporting the negotiations and indicated that Moscow is willing to hold the next meeting in Istanbul.

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