Key facts
- Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to resume US-mediated talks with Ukraine next month.
- Putin stated that discussions must address the architecture of European security as a whole.
- Zelenskiy supported proposals for a ceasefire, an end to the war, and humanitarian initiatives.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that future talks on settling the war in Ukraine should focus on security guarantees for both nations and the broader European security framework. Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to resume US-mediated talks with Ukraine next month, emphasizing a lasting peace agreement over a temporary ceasefire. He also stated that discussions should encompass "the architecture of European security as a whole." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met with Witkoff, also indicated readiness for talks and support for ceasefire and humanitarian initiatives. Efforts to pursue talks had stalled in February due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Putin also reiterated his view that eastern Ukraine is "historically Russian land."