Putin says Russia ready for peace deal with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (not in the photo) during their meeting on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg, Russia, on June 4, 2026. (PHOTO / KREMLIN VIA AP)MOSCOW/KYIV/WASHINGTON – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia is ready to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means and is willing to accept compromises.At a meeting with heads of major international news agencies attending the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said Russia remains prepared to pursue a negotiated settlement based on a framework discussed with US President Donald Trump during a meeting in Anchorage in August 2025.He said Russia is ready to accept the compromises discussed at the meeting and expressed hope that the Ukrainian side would also agree to them.Meanwhile, Putin said Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact and have taken complete control of the Luhansk region, 85 percent of the Donetsk region and 80 percent of the Zaporizhzhia region.He said there is no need for a suspension of hostilities to begin negotiations on Ukraine, and it would be better to stop the war as a whole rather than reach a ceasefire.ALSO READ: Ukraine says it hit oil terminal in Russia's St PetersburgThe Russian president also said that potential agreements between Russia and Ukraine will be "historical documents."'Zelensky can come to Moscow for talks'Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can come to Moscow any time if he wishes to hold talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.Zelensky published a letter earlier Thursday proposing a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the participation of Europe and the United States, to discuss the peace process."Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us -- and you. I am proposing a meeting," Zelensky wrote in the letter.Zelensky also called for setting a clear date for the meeting and said that Ukraine stands prepared for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations.He noted that Switzerland, Türkiye, and some Arab countries have expressed readiness to host such talks.Peskov said the Kremlin has reviewed the letter and will report to Putin after his working meeting.READ MORE: Russia conducts massive retaliatory strike on Ukraine"President Putin has said that if Zelensky wants to talk, he can come to Moscow and do so," Peskov said.Commenting on US efforts to help settle the Ukraine conflict, Peskov said Russia has never idealized the United States' role and that its national interests remain the top priority.Trump: Zelensky-Putin direct talks welcomedUS President Donald Trump said Thursday that Washington welcomed the prospect of direct talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging them to make compromises to end the years-long conflict."I'm glad that they're maybe talking about meeting," Trump told reporters at the White House, in response to an open letter in which Zelensky proposed direct talks with Putin. "I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done.""They're going to both make compromises, I suggested those compromises, and ... we've had a lot to do with it," Trump said.Trump declined to reveal what concessions the leaders agreed to make to bring about an end to the conflict.Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky called on Putin to engage in direct talks to end the war, arguing that continued fighting was affecting Russia's resources and its international standing."Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us -- and you. I am proposing a meeting," he said in the open letter published on the Ukrainian presidency's website.Zelensky can come to Moscow at any time if he wishes to hold talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.READ MORE: Russia's Rosatom says Ukrainian drone struck Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant"President Putin said that if Zelensky wants to talk, he can come to Moscow and do so," Peskov said.Putin: Russia hasn't rejected dialogue with EuropeRussia has not rejected dialogue with European countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.At a meeting with the heads of major international news agencies attending the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said Europe's assistance to Ukraine undermines its neutrality as a mediator in the peace negotiations."It's one thing to take part in the negotiations, and quite another to be a mediator," he said.Despite this, Russia is not refusing contact with Europe, Putin said, adding that he was surprised to hear rhetoric of "a spiteful Russia" that stopped supplying energy to Europe.Russia had not stopped supplying energy to Europe, but "Europe simply refused to buy, hoping that everything would collapse for us," he said.Commenting on possible candidates for talks with Russia, Putin said Moscow was not imposing anything, but they should be people Russia can trust. He added that such discussions could take place at the level of foreign ministries or the intelligence services.
