Putin Breaks Silence: Russia Says It’s Ready for ‘Serious’ Ukraine Peace Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged a U.S.-backed Ukraine peace plan for the first time, saying Moscow is ready for “serious discussions” on the draft proposal aimed at ending the nearly four-year war.
Speaking during a visit to Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, Putin said the outline of the draft agreement created by U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators could form the basis of a future settlement.
“In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements,” Putin said, according to comments translated by Reuters. He added that Washington appears to be increasingly taking Russia’s position into account.
The Russian leader said the Kremlin is prepared to discuss the proposals when U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow next week for direct talks.
A Major Shift After Days of Intense Diplomacy
Putin’s comments mark the first time he has publicly addressed the peace initiative following a burst of negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in recent days. The talks followed reports of an earlier 28-point U.S.-Russia draft plan that heavily favored Moscow’s demands.
Ukraine, along with several European allies, pushed back, proposing significant revisions before meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Geneva to refine the framework.
Ukraine Signals Tentative Support
The current draft, reportedly streamlined to 19 key proposals, now appears to have Ukraine’s conditional support. This puts pressure on Moscow to reveal whether it is willing to move forward.
Multiple U.S. outlets reported Tuesday that Ukrainian officials “have agreed” to the new framework, though several details still need final negotiation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv is ready to advance the proposal, according to excerpts of a speech shared with allies and reported by Reuters.
Kremlin: Parts of the Plan Are Positive — Others Need “Serious Analysis”
Despite the momentum, high-ranking Russian officials indicated that the peace process remains far from concluded.
Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow has reviewed an unofficial version of the plan but has yet to receive an official draft. He noted that while some elements are promising, several points require deeper analysis.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia welcomes U.S. engagement but warned that Moscow will not offer concessions on key issues of sovereignty or territory, signaling difficult negotiations ahead.
Putin: Fighting Will Stop Only if Ukraine Withdraws From Key Regions
Putin also emphasized that military operations would only end if Ukrainian troops withdraw from strategic positions. Otherwise, he said, Russia will “achieve its objectives by force.”
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov cautioned that it is still “too early” to declare that the war is close to a resolution.
U.S. Says Progress Is Being Made
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that negotiations are moving in the right direction.
“I think we’re getting very close to a deal,” Trump said at the White House. He later posted on Truth Social that “only a few remaining points of disagreement” remain between the parties.
CNBC reached out to the Kremlin for further comment and is awaiting a response.
What Comes Next?
The next major test will come when U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow next week. With Ukraine signaling tentative approval and Washington actively mediating, the pressure now shifts to Russia to determine whether the framework becomes a historic peace agreement — or another stalled negotiation in a long, grinding war.
