Putin ‘ready for peace talks’ after Ukraine strikes key Russian sites

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated his readiness for peace talks with Ukraine, following recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Putin claimed that Ukraine's attacks, which have caused fuel shortages and doubled this year, are intended to “destabilise society”.

He suggested that any negotiations should proceed based on agreements previously reached in Istanbul, which he asserted the Ukrainian delegation had initially accepted.

The Russian leader criticised strikes against civilian infrastructure, questioning their aim to create uncertainty about the Russian armed forces' actions.

Concurrently, Ukraine's UN envoy, Andrii Melnyk, warned that Kyiv might reconsider its current ceasefire proposal if there is no significant international effort to end the conflict.