Putin open for talks on Ukraine war, but won’t withdraw

Russian officials said Friday that President Vladimir Putin is open to negotiations on Ukraine after more than nine months of fighting and thousands of casualties. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin is willing to engage in discussions but plans to maintain a military presence in Ukraine for now. Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine before talks can begin. Scholz spoke with Putin on the phone Friday. Biden and Putin have not spoken directly since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

What other negotiations are ongoing? The International Atomic Energy Agency is working to reach an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to establish a protective zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The plant is Europe’s largest and frequent shelling around the Russian-held facility has raised concerns. Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi said the agency hopes to reach a resolution by the end of the year.

Dig deeper: Read Todd Vician’s report in World Tour on Russia’s nuclear capabilities.