President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia was ready to hold a new round of peace negotiations with Ukraine, potentially in Istanbul, although the time and venue had yet to be agreed. Putin said there were big differences between the proposals submitted by the two sides at previous talks but expressed hope that continued dialogue would help narrow the gap.

Russia is ready to hold a third round of peace talks on the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on June 27, without specifying if he would directly participate in the negotiations.

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has announced that he is ready for a third round of negotiations with Ukraine, saying that Russia is prepared to hold such a meeting in Istanbul, but the "time and place" still need to be agreed upon.