Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his readiness to consider Ukraine's proposal to mutually cease attacks on civilian targets, stressing that this may require direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev. The statement, made on April 21, 2025, was one of the first public signals about the possibility of bilateral dialogue amid the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin specified that this was specifically about contacts with the Ukrainian side, which sparked lively discussions about the prospects for de-escalation.

Speaking to journalists, Putin noted that Ukraine's initiative requires careful analysis. The president did not disclose the details of the proposal, but stressed that Russia is ready to discuss measures that could reduce damage to the civilian population. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the statement, explained that bilateral negotiations meant direct negotiations with Kiev, not the involvement of intermediaries. He added that Moscow expects Ukraine to take concrete steps to confirm the seriousness of its intentions.

Putin's statement came in the context of mutual accusations by both sides of targeting civilian infrastructure. Russia has repeatedly claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) use civilian facilities for military purposes, including schools and hospitals, making them targets for strikes.