Russia Open to Peace Negotiations with U.S. to End Ukraine Conflict
Russia has expressed its willingness to begin peace negotiations with the United States immediately in a bid to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Russia is ready to discuss the U.S.'s proposed initiatives, with contacts potentially beginning as soon as today. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also confirmed that U.S. negotiators were traveling to Russia and that discussions were planned, although he cautioned that it was too early to provide further details.
This development follows a diplomatic breakthrough earlier this week when Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal presented by the U.S. during talks between top Ukrainian and American officials in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. pledged to present the ceasefire proposal to Russia as part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
President Donald Trump has made clear his commitment to ending the conflict and bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table. Tensions had previously escalated between the U.S. and Ukraine, particularly after a heated dispute between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House over American military aid to Ukraine. The disagreement led to a temporary halt in U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, although these were restored as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Despite the tensions, Zelensky issued a statement expressing regret over the outcome of the White House meeting and signaled a willingness to engage in peace negotiations. This shift in tone paved the way for the resumption of talks, and a minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, which had been delayed by the dispute, is now back on the table. Trump has predicted that Ukraine will ultimately sign the deal, which had been reported by National Review’s Audrey Fahlberg.
Before the White House conflict, Trump had been vocal in his criticism of Zelensky, even referring to him as a "dictator" and blaming him for the war following Russia's invasion. However, Trump later backtracked on his comments, praising Ukraine’s military forces for their bravery in the face of the Russian onslaught.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in Ukraine. A Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian town of Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, killed one person and wounded at least nine others. The attack came shortly after a Ukrainian drone strike targeted Moscow, hitting strategic Russian oil assets. The strike killed three people and injured 18.
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