Voice of Calcutta: After nearly four years of continuous war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict may finally be approaching a turning point. According to Kremlin sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Moscow for direct peace talks.

This invitation is being seen by international observers as one of the most significant diplomatic initiatives since the war began. However, Ukraine has not yet issued any official response. Whether President Zelensky will accept Putin’s proposal remains uncertain.

US Mediation Behind the Move

Diplomatic sources suggest that the United States has played a crucial role in pushing both sides toward negotiations. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that his administration is actively working to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Last week, senior representatives from both countries met in Abu Dhabi under US mediation. While preliminary discussions on ceasefire mechanisms took place, major disagreements persisted on key issues.

Softening Positions

Recent reports indicate that both Moscow and Kyiv have slightly softened their positions. They have reportedly agreed in principle to avoid attacks on power plants and energy infrastructure. However, neither Putin nor Zelensky has officially confirmed this understanding.

Human and Economic Cost

Since February 2022, the war has become one of Europe’s longest and bloodiest conflicts in recent history. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians have lost their lives. Large parts of Ukraine’s infrastructure, including cities and power stations, have been destroyed.

The conflict has also destabilized global markets, particularly in energy and food supplies.

What Lies Ahead?

Experts believe that if Zelensky agrees to travel to Moscow, it would mark the first direct top-level meeting between the two leaders since the war began—potentially a historic step toward ending the conflict.

However, deep mistrust, territorial disputes, and security guarantees remain unresolved. The success of peace talks will depend largely on political will from both sides.

The world is now watching Moscow and Kyiv closely. Whether this marks the beginning of peace or just another round of diplomacy will become clear in the coming weeks.

International Desk: Voice of Calcutta