Russia says ready to negotiate with Ukraine to end conflict

On July 25, the Kremlin said it was ready to negotiate with Ukraine to end the conflict.

Asked by reporters if Russia was ready to negotiate with Ukraine while President Volodymyr Zelensky was still in power, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Russia is generally open to the negotiation process. But first we have to understand how ready the Ukrainian side is for this and whether it is allowed."

“We are ready to achieve our goals through negotiations,” Mr. Peskov stressed.

While showing a willingness to negotiate on its own terms, the Kremlin has also openly questioned President Zelensky's leadership.

According to the Ukrainian Constitution, President Zelensky's term ended on May 21.

However, late last year, Mr. Zelensky said Ukraine would not hold any elections during the current period of martial law.

Russia has repeatedly affirmed that it is always open to negotiations with Kiev, but on the condition that Ukraine must "accept the real situation", including recognizing the territories in the East that Russia has annexed.

On July 24, during a visit to China, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine is preparing for negotiations with Russia, emphasizing that "negotiations need to be reasonable, substantive and aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace."