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By Heraldviews

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia suggested this week that he is open to the possibility of direct peace talks with Ukraine, offering a rare but cautious overture amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and persistent battlefield violence.

“I have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives,” Mr. Putin told Russian state television on Monday. “And I hope Kyiv feels the same way.”

The comments came shortly after the expiration of a brief Easter truce, which lasted only 30 hours and ended in recriminations from both sides. Each accused the other of violating the ceasefire — an increasingly common pattern in a war that has now entered its third year with few signs of resolution.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine did not directly address Mr. Putin’s remarks, but in a nightly video address, he indicated that Ukraine remained open to dialogue,  provided that civilian lives were no longer targeted.

“We are ready for any conversation that leads to a halt in attacks on civilians,” Mr. Zelensky said, reiterating a previous call for a ceasefire that would ban long-range missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure for at least 30 days.

But despite the potential for dialogue, officials on both sides signaled that tangible negotiations remain elusive. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov walked back suggestions of imminent talks, saying there are currently “no concrete plans” for direct discussions with Kyiv.

“The president was merely explaining the complexity of this issue,” Mr. Peskov told reporters. “There are nuances to consider, especially when distinguishing civilian infrastructure from facilities that may be used for military purposes.”

He added that Ukraine would need to remove “legal obstacles” to any such talks, a reference to a 2022 Ukrainian decree barring negotiations with Mr. Putin, issued in the wake of Russia’s unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Although Russian forces do not fully control these territories, Moscow has treated them as integral parts of the Russian Federation.

In his Monday comments, Mr. Putin questioned the feasibility of a ceasefire, accusing Ukraine of using civilian structures — including restaurants and universities, for military operations. The allegation, which Kyiv has denied, underscores the challenge of defining and enforcing a truce in a conflict where front lines often blur with urban centers.

Mr. Zelensky, speaking again Monday, pressed Moscow for a clearer stance, urging Russia to “at the very least, not strike civilian infrastructure.” He added pointedly, “We await a clear answer.”

The murmur of diplomacy comes at a time when global pressure,  and impatience, is mounting. President Donald J. Trump, who has sought to broker a ceasefire since returning to office, warned this week that he may abandon those efforts if no progress is made. Still, he expressed optimism on Monday, saying a deal could be reached “very soon.”

Allies of Ukraine have remained skeptical of Russia’s intentions. European diplomats, including those from France and the United Kingdom, have warned Washington against taking Moscow’s statements at face value, arguing that the Kremlin’s outreach may be a tactical ploy rather than a genuine pivot toward peace.

“Let’s not mistake public relations for diplomacy,” said one senior European official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations. “What Putin seeks is not peace, it is time, and leverage.”

Negotiators from the United States, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and France are expected to reconvene in London on Wednesday to continue talks aimed at resolving the conflict. The gathering follows a similar meeting in Paris last week, where European ministers reportedly pressed Washington to stand firm on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Tuesday that the recent Easter ceasefire appeared to be “a calculated move by Putin,” possibly intended to mollify President Trump amid rising frustration in Washington over Russia’s reluctance to commit to an enduring truce.

On the ground, the war raged on.

Ukraine’s air force reported a new wave of Russian attacks overnight, including the launch of 54 drones. Russian state media claimed that Moscow’s troops had retaken a monastery in the contested Kursk region, describing it as one of the last positions held by Ukrainian forces there.

For now, the prospect of peace remains theoretical, a glimmer of diplomacy shrouded in doubt. While Mr. Putin’s remarks opened the door, even slightly, to dialogue, the path toward a ceasefire continues to narrow as violence escalates and mutual mistrust deepens.

With additional reporting from agencies.