Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state television that that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement for Ukraine but Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals.
In a clip released on Sunday, Peskov remarked that while the world has become accustomed to the United States President Donald Trump's often “harsh” tone, the president also reiterated his commitment to seeking a peace agreement in his comments about Russia.
"President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy," Peskov said to the state television reporter Pavel Zarubin.
"The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear," Reuters quoted Peskov.
On Monday, Trump adopted a tougher posture toward Russia, announcing a new round of military aid to Ukraine that includes Patriot missile defense systems. He also gave Russia a 50-day ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire or face further sanctions.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 19 said that Kyiv sent Moscow an offer to conduct another round of peace talks in the coming week. He added that he wants negotiations for a ceasefire to gain momentum.
In the past five months, Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul. They have agreed to exchange prisoners but still have not made any breakthroughs in attaining a ceasefire that can end the almost three and a half years of war that started with Russia's 2022 invasion.
"Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire," Zelenskiy said. "The Russian side should stop hiding from decisions," Reuters quoted the Ukrainian president.
He mentioned that Rustem Umerov, the official who led the Ukrainian delegation at peace talks in Istanbul, had forwarded to the Russian side an offer to hold the meeting next week.
Umerov, a former defence minister, was appointed last week as the head of the National Security and Defence Council and tasked with adding more momentum to the negotiations, Reuters reported.
