'We Pushed Him a Little': Zelensky Says Putin Now Ready for Real Negotiations

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “pushed” Vladimir Putin toward readiness for negotiations, though Russia continues intense frontline attacks. Kyiv is seeking a concrete format for talks while preparing a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with US mediation. Zelensky warned that if Moscow resumes large-scale strikes, Ukraine will respond immediately, stressing that any negotiations must deliver lasting security guarantees. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on during a press conference with the German Chancellor at the Chancellery in Berlin on April 14, 2026 during German-Ukrainian government consultations.(Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared his readiness for real negotiations, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky . Speaking in his evening address on May 10, Zelensky said Ukraine has long been ready for talks and that the next step is to determine a concrete format for dialogue. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “Now Putin himself says that he is finally ready for real meetings. We pushed him a little, and we have been preparing for meetings for a long time, so we need to find a format. We need to end this war, reliably guarantee security,” Zelensky said. He stressed that negotiations must not only stop the fighting but also ensure lasting security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelensky said Ukraine refrained from long-range strikes for two days as Russia did not carry out massive attacks. However, he emphasized that there was no real “silence” along the front line. “But in the frontline areas, in the communities near the front, there was no peace. The Russians continue their assault activity in those areas that are key for them. There are shellings, there were drone strikes of various types on the front,” he said. According to Zelensky, over the weekend there were more than 150 assault operations, over 100 shellings, and nearly 10,000 kamikaze drone strikes. “That is, at the front, the Russian army does not observe silence and does not even try very hard. All our Ukrainian units act in a mirror manner, defending our positions exactly as needed,” he added. Other Topics of Interest Putin Claims War ‘Coming to an End’ and Offers to Meet Zelensky in Moscow Following the May 9 parade, Vladimir Putin asserted that the “conflict in Ukraine is moving toward its end” while repeating several controversial claims regarding the war’s history and potential resolution. Putin stated he is willing to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow or a third country, though he specified that a meeting in a neutral location would only occur to sign a final agreement. How will Ukraine respond if attacks escalate? Zelensky said Ukraine would continue to respond in kind, warning that any return to large-scale Russian strikes would trigger an immediate response. “In the future, we will react in the same mirror way, and if the Russians decide to return to a full-scale war, our sanctions for this will be immediate and tangible,” he said. “The distance is becoming less and less important – we have shown this with our long-range approach. Ukraine has always behaved clearly and honestly in this regard,” he added. Zelensky also confirmed that preparations are underway for a large-scale prisoner exchange under a “1,000 for 1,000” formula. He said the United States has taken on guarantees to ensure the implementation of the agreement. “Our contacts with the American side about guarantees… are continuing. The prisoner exchange – a thousand for a thousand – is being prepared and must be carried out. These guarantees were taken on by the Americans,” he said. According to Zelensky, Ukraine has already handed over lists of 1,000 individuals to the Russian side. He emphasized that, given US mediation, Kyiv expects Washington to play an active role in ensuring the exchange is carried out. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.