Vladimir Putin said today that Russia does not reject a peaceful settlement of the war in Ukraine, speaking at a meeting of the Federal Security Council (FSB).

Since June, Putin has reiterated that Russia is ready for peace, but on condition that its demands are fully met. Last year, he laid out specific conditions for a ceasefire, including the surrender of all Ukrainian territories claimed by Moscow, as well as a formal abandonment of Kyiv’s NATO membership ambitions.

Referring to relations with Washington, Putin said that both Russia and the United States are ready to cooperate. However, he noted that some Western elites seek to undermine this dialogue.

“The first contacts with the new US administration give some hope. There is a mutual desire to work to restore relations,” he said.