Russia Ready For Ukraine Talks ‘Without Preconditions’ After Trump Says Putin Doesn’t Want To Stop War

Last Updated:April 26, 2025, 19:33 IST

Trump made the remarks after his meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said that they held a ‘symbolic’ meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint news conference after their meeting in Helsinki. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Russia is prepared to conduct peace talks with Ukraine “without preconditions," President Vladimir Putin informed US envoy Steve Witkoff in a meeting on Friday, according to the Kremlin on Saturday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “During yesterday’s discussions with Trump’s envoy Witkoff, Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia is ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions," noting that Putin has made this declaration multiple times in the past.

These statements coincide with US President Donald Trump’s expression of disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Saturday, Trump criticised Putin for recent attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine and remarked, “maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war."

In a post on Truth Social following his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome, Trump also speculated that Putin “has to be dealt with differently, possibly through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions’?"

“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days," Trump said in the post.

“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!"

Moscow/Washington DC

News world Russia Ready For Ukraine Talks ‘Without Preconditions’ After Trump Says Putin Doesn’t Want To Stop War