Putin breaks silence on Ukrainian peace proposals, says he’s open to new negotiations

He made this statement after a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk, according to Russian state media RIA Novosti.

Putin said that the proposals from Ukraine and Russia are “two completely opposite memoranda,” which he said is “not surprising.”

Still, he claimed that Russia is ready for a third round of talks with Ukraine.

Putin added that the draft agreements from both sides should be discussed during the third round of talks.

He said the heads of both delegations are now talking about setting a date for the next meeting.

Putin also said that Russia is ready to return the bodies of another 3,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

• According to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during the second meeting in Istanbul on June 2, Russia responded to Ukraine’s constructive proposals — which could have brought a just peace closer — by putting forward a set of old ultimatums. The only agreement reached during the talks was on a prisoner exchange, not a ceasefire.