Ukraine-Russia Talks: Putin Ready, Kyiv Launches Strikes During Voting

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed his readiness for peace talks with Ukraine, but only on terms that take into account Russia's national interests. He has stated that Russia was prepared to resume talks immediately after the State Duma elections on September 21, but Kyiv launched strikes during the voting, killing several election commission members. Putin has also noted that Russia wants a long-term peace, not just a temporary ceasefire, and that the issue is about people, not 'a piece of land'. Meanwhile, Ukrainian MP Alexey Goncharenko has called for negotiations with Russia, suggesting that Ukraine should consider neutrality in the context of NATO and discuss conditions for peace.