Kiev says it's open to talks, including on neutrality

A top Ukrainian official said that his country was ready for talks with the Russian Federation, including regarding the neutral status as referred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

"If talks are possible, they should be held. If in Moscow they say they want to hold talks, including on neutral status, we are not afraid of this," Ukrainian presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak said, according to Reuters.

"We can talk about that as well. Our readiness for dialogue is part of our persistent pursuit of peace."

Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Moscow had "taken note" of the new statement and that it "looked like a positive development".

Peskov added that he could not comment on whether talks would take place between Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Nonetheless, Peskov said that Moscow would analyse the offer and that its expectations for Ukraine remained unchanged.