Russia will hold talks with the US at the end of this week to address “irritants” in bilateral relations, news agency Tass reported, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Speaking to Russian state media, Sergei Ryabkov said a possible Putin-Trump summit could involve broad talks on global issues, not just the war in Ukraine.

In an interview released on Monday, the third anniversary of tens of thousands of Russian troops crossing into Ukraine at the orders of President Vladimir Putin, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow was after a Ukraine deal that stood the test of time.

Upcoming negotiations between Russia and the U.S. aim to address specific irritants in their bilateral relations, as reported by TASS. The talks, scheduled for the end of next week, will involve senior officials and focus on resolving ongoing diplomatic challenges.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to step down as president if it means “peace for Ukraine,” he said during the Ukraine: Year 2025 forum in Kyiv on Feb. 23. Talks about elections in Ukraine have amplified in recent months despite martial law prohibiting them.

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday afternoon at the Russian leader's request, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The call, made on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,