Zelensky softens rhetoric on talks with Russia

This was reported by Politico citing two sources familiar with the situation

According to the paper, it was communication with President Biden's administration that led to a softening of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's position that peace talks with Russia cannot begin under Vladimir Putin's presidency.

In a recent statement by Volodymyr Zelenski on the terms of negotiations with Russia, Zelenski did not say that Putin had to step down before such talks could take place.

This change, according to one source, came after several days of talks between Kiev and Washington, notably following a personal visit to Zelensky by Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan

Among the conditions for talks Zelensky now names: restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, punishment for war crimes and reparations. One US official says

It doesn't mean they need to sit at the negotiating table now. We don't even think this is the right time, based on what Russia is doing. But they have to show a willingness to resolve the conflict, because no one wants this conflict to end, more than Ukraine

Sullivan also said during his visit to Kyiv that the US considers the terms on which the Kremlin is now willing in principle to engage in dialogue unacceptable, because all conversations must start with the complete de-occupation of Ukraine.