Russia's Putin: Russia still open to dialogue with Kyiv, West could help end atrocities by Ukrainian forces

In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is still open to dialogue with Kyiv, reported Russian state-run news agency Interfax as cited by Reuters. Putin added that the West could help end atrocities by Ukrainian Security Forces, Interfax reported. 

Progress in Russo-Ukraine peace talks have ground to a halt in recent weeks, with Russia refocusing its invasion efforts into securing more territory in Ukraine's south and east. Peace talks have been mired by a growing mountain of accusations being levied against Russian military forces, who are being accused of committing war crimes against Ukrainian civilians, with the massacre in Bucha the highest-profile event. 

Russia is also reportedly planning what Western officials are calling a "sham" referendum in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, which is also likely to weigh heavily on the prospect of any progress in peace talks in the coming weeks.