The Kremlin proposes halting the war along the current front line while continuing its air strikes on Ukraine.

The FT reported that Putin put forward to US President Donald Trump that Russia would cease hostilities in Ukraine, freezing the conflict at the current front line. The Russian leader reportedly told Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg that Russia is willing to relinquish its claim to four partially occupied Ukrainian regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson). In exchange, Putin seeks broader geopolitical concessions from the US, such as recognizing its ownership of Crimea and preventing Ukraine from joining NATO.

However, on April 22 Kremlin spokesman Peskov urged caution regarding media interpretations of such sensitive matters. He stated that if Kyiv wishes to negotiate with Moscow about refraining from strikes on civilian infrastructure, it must take steps to “legally remove obstacles.” This likely refers to Ukraine’s official stance, which bans negotiations with Putin.

Peskov also asserted that Moscow is “ready for dialogue” concerning a potential moratorium on these strikes. Nonetheless, this did not stop Russia from attacking Ukraine with 134 strike drones on the night of April 23 and destroying a key energy infrastructure facility in Kherson.