Putin Proposes Minsk for Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has identified Minsk as a possible venue for future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, should negotiations take place, according to the Interfax news agency.

Putin said Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was ready to support efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful negotiations. He pointed to Minsk's role in previous diplomatic efforts, noting that the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine after the full-scale invasion began in 2022 were held there. The Belarusian capital also hosted the signing of the Minsk agreements in 2014.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously said any future negotiations should be held at a neutral venue. During the recent G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, he also proposed a face-to-face meeting with Putin.

According to Kyiv, however, Moscow has shown no willingness to engage in substantive talks on ending the war.

(max)