In a recent statement at a forum in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed Russia’s readiness to reengage in peace talks with Ukraine. Putin highlighted that Russia has never refused to negotiate, but he insists that discussions should be based on an earlier deal agreed upon in Istanbul in 2022. This agreement was initially reached by negotiators from both Moscow and Kyiv but was ultimately not finalized.

Putin stressed that the terms of the Istanbul deal should guide any future talks, rather than new demands. This announcement comes despite previous statements from Russia, which claimed that Ukrainian actions in the Kursk region had made negotiations impossible. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has continued for over a year, with Putin pressing on despite international sanctions and criticism.