"Ready to negotiate, seek solutions": Putin says Ukraine agreement 'can be reached', affirms military objective will be achieved

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Moscow’s willingness to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine conflict, stating that an agreement could be reached while maintaining that Russia would achieve the objectives of its military campaign.

Speaking to Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin on Thursday, Putin described the situation in Ukraine as complicated and said Russia remained open to dialogue and efforts to find a solution. His remarks came after extensive discussions with US negotiators, including Steve Witkoff.

“I think we can reach an agreement,” Putin said, adding that Russia would accomplish its stated objectives regardless of how the situation develops.

Putin also confirmed that Russia and the United States had agreed to resume trilateral contacts. He said the discussions would focus on establishing security arrangements for both Russia and Ukraine following a final peace agreement, rather than relying on a temporary suspension of hostilities.

According to the Russian president, the US administration had emphasized that negotiations on future security guarantees for the two countries would also require discussions on the broader European security architecture. Putin said he agreed with this approach and that developments over the coming days would help determine the next steps.

Putin further maintained that Russia had consistently supported a peaceful resolution to the conflict from its early stages. He claimed that Moscow had previously called for an agreement between Kyiv and the southeastern regions of Ukraine in 2014.

The Russian president's remarks underscore Moscow's stated readiness to return to negotiations while continuing to insist that its military objectives remain unchanged.

However, a lasting settlement would depend on the positions of all parties involved, including Ukraine, as well as the terms of any proposed peace agreement and the security arrangements that might follow.

The reported agreement to resume trilateral contacts could provide an opportunity to discuss these issues, although the timing, format and outcome of any renewed negotiations remain uncertain.