Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly signaled behind closed doors that Russia is open to a ceasefire along the current front line, the New York Times reported, citing its sources.

The ceasefire that Putin wants would mean that Russia would keep its illegally occupied territories in Ukraine, where the population is being abducted and executed without trial.

“He is really willing to stop at the current positions,” a former senior Russian official told the New York Times. “But he doesn’t want to back down,” the former official added.

The New York Times reported that some US officials say Putin’s alleged desire to end the war, which has cost tens of thousands of lives, may be an attempt to influence opinion and “does not reflect a real will” to end the war.

Ukraine presented its 10-point “peace formula” in November 2022.

One of the key points, as a prerequisite for the start of peace talks, is the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, including the regions illegally annexed by Russia in 2022, Kyiv Independent reports.

Russian officials have previously reiterated that this would be considered a missed start for any talks.

According to a New York Times article, Putin is said to have explored the ground for a ceasefire agreement in the fall of 2022 after Ukrainian forces liberated Kharkiv Oblast, US officials said, indicating he was satisfied with the territory captured by Russia and was ready for a truce.

The signals came through several channels, including through foreign governments with ties to both the US and Russia. It is said that unofficial Russian emissaries talked with interlocutors about the contours of a potential agreement.

“Putin and the Russian military do not want to expand their capabilities any further,” an unidentified international official told the New York Times.

Kremlin spokesman Dmytro Peskov said that Russia is ready for negotiations, but only to “achieve its own goals.”

There are currently no grounds for starting peace talks with Ukraine, Peskov told reporters earlier on December 20.

The prospect of peace talks, including the exchange of territory for peace or other significant concessions, is generally unpopular among the Ukrainian population.

A poll published in December 2023 showed that 74% of Ukrainians were against such territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for peace.

Also, Ukrainian and Western leaders have repeatedly stated that they do not believe in Russia’s interest in good faith peace negotiations.