Putin suggests Russia open to direct talks with Ukraine as strikes continue

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled he is open to bilateral talks with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since the early stages of the war.
Speaking to Russian state TV on Monday, Putin said Russia had “always looked positively on any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin’s comments indicated a willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine about not striking civilian targets.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities have continued. A hit on an apartment block in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday killed one woman and injured 15 others, including two children.
Footage showed the smouldering damage of the high-rise residential building and a burning vehicle on the street.

Source: BBC | Language: English