NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that there is a possibility of reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, offering one of his more positive assessments of the prospects for a settlement in recent months.

Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said several countries, including the United States and China, were prepared to support efforts aimed at achieving peace. However, he stressed that the final resolution would have to be reached by Russia and Ukraine themselves.

Putin's comments came as diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict appeared to gain fresh momentum. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also said Kyiv was seeing a "new dynamic" in international diplomatic efforts, suggesting that discussions involving multiple countries could create opportunities for progress.

Despite the more optimistic remarks, significant obstacles remain. Putin criticized recent Ukrainian actions and said they were making negotiations more difficult. Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange attacks, while their positions on key issues remain far apart.

The comments are notable because they follow Putin's tougher statements earlier this week, when he said Russia was making gains on the battlefield and ruled out negotiations with what he described as "terrorists." He also claimed Russian forces had captured territory in Ukraine's Donetsk region, although Reuters said it could not independently verify the battlefield claims.

The latest developments are being closely watched internationally, particularly because the US, China and India have all been involved in discussions or diplomatic efforts related to the conflict. India has continued to advocate dialogue and a peaceful resolution.

For now, Putin's remarks signal a possible opening for renewed diplomacy, but there is no confirmed peace agreement or breakthrough. The continuation of military operations and differences over the terms of any settlement mean that substantial negotiations would still be required.