Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine that acknowledges the current battle lines, according to four Russian sources.

However, if Kyiv and the West do not respond, he is prepared to continue fighting.

Three sources familiar with discussions among Putin’s advisors indicated that Putin is frustrated with Western efforts to hinder negotiations and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s refusal to engage in talks.

A senior Russian source stated that Putin is open to a ceasefire to freeze the war, although he can continue the conflict if necessary.

All sources spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue. Reuters consulted five individuals who work or have worked closely with Putin; one did not comment on freezing the war at current frontlines.

At a news conference in Belarus, Putin expressed support for resuming peace talks based on the situation on the ground and previous agreements, rather than one-sided demands, Reuters reported.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Putin of trying to disrupt a Ukrainian-initiated peace summit in Switzerland by sending false signals about his willingness to stop the war.

Kuleba asserted that Putin has no intention of ending the aggression and that only a unified global stance can compel him to choose peace.

Written by B.C. Begley