Russia bombs Ukrainian cities despite Putin's openness to peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to engage in future peace talks regarding the war in Ukraine, focusing on security guarantees for both nations and a framework for security across Europe. This statement came a day after Putin met with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin reiterated Russia's desire for a resolution to the conflict rather than a temporary ceasefire, emphasizing the need to ensure the security of Ukraine and Russia post-peace agreements.

Witkoff, in turn, underscored the importance of discussions encompassing the broader European security architecture. Both leaders expressed optimism about potential developments in the coming days following their discussions.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated readiness for peace talks, scheduled to commence early next month. Ukraine has shown flexibility in supporting various ceasefire proposals, including an end to the conflict, an energy ceasefire, and humanitarian initiatives. The United States, meanwhile, faced setbacks in pursuing peace talks due to the concurrent conflict between the US and Iran.

Many issues in the Ukraine war, such as territorial demands, center around Russia's insistence on Ukraine ceding the Donbas region, which Kyiv staunchly opposes.

Despite Putin's openness to talks, Russia continued its military offensive in Ukraine. The country launched ballistic missiles at Kyiv, while Ukraine responded with drone strikes targeting Moscow. On Thursday, Russia conducted at least three missile strikes in Kyiv, one of which reportedly carried cluster munitions—a weapon banned by many countries for its civilian danger.

In response, Ukraine reported launching around 630 drones towards Moscow overnight. The two sides also exchanged war dead, with Moscow delivering 252 bodies and Ukraine sending 25, as reported by Belarusian news agency Belta. Such exchanges have historically preceded peace negotiations.