MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about trying to find peace at talks he has proposed in Türkiye but his spokesman said he could say no more about the talks after Ukraine demanded the Kremlin chief attend.
Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine aimed at ending the war, and, after US President Donald Trump publicly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accept, Zelenskiy said he would but that Putin should attend in person.
"We are committed to a serious search for ways of a long-term peaceful settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referencing the failed 2022 talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Peskov said many leaders had welcomed Putin's approach.
"This approach, aimed precisely at finding a real diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, eliminating the root causes of the conflict and establishing lasting peace, has met with understanding and support from the leaders of many countries."
He cited positive reactions from US President Donald Trump, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as well as from countries in the BRICS group and from countries in the former Soviet Union.
Before reporters could ask any more questions about the proposed talks, Peskov said: "That's all. I've said everything I could about this story."
Putin and Zelenskiy have not met since December 2019 and make no secret of their contempt for each other.
Putin's proposal for direct talks with Ukraine came hours after major European powers demanded on Saturday in Kyiv that Putin agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face "massive" new sanctions.
Germany's government said on Monday that European countries will start preparing new sanctions on Russia unless the Kremlin by the end of Monday starts abiding by a 30-day ceasefire.
"The language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia, it is not suitable. You can't use such language with Russia," Peskov said when asked about the German and other European warnings.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday that Vladimir Putin must "get serious" about engaging in peace talks.
The British foreign secretary commended Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky for his "willingness to engage in talks" as European foreign ministers gathered in London for discussions about the continent's security.
Zelensky has challenged his Russian counterpart to meet him face-to-face for negotiations to end the war in his country on Thursday in Türkiye. Putin faces the challenge after he said he wanted to hold direct talks with Kiev.
Urging the Russian leader to step up to the table, Lammy said: "This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks."
But Europe's leaders are "prepared if this is not the moment of seriousness from Putin," he added.
The foreign secretary is hosting his counterparts from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the European Union for a meeting at Lancaster House on Monday, after a weekend of diplomacy for Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia is "completely ignoring" a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and European powers that was to have begun on Monday.
Writing on X, Sybiha said he had spoken to European ministers meeting in London, and they had discussed steps that could be taken against Russia, including new sanctions against the Russian banking and energy sectors and the Russian central bank. — Agencies
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
