Ukraine discussing with Russia about time and place to talk cease-fire, peace

Representatives from Ukraine and Russia have contacted each other and are discussing a place and time for potential negotiations, according to a spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The spokesman said in a Facebook post that "Ukraine was and remains ready to talk about ceasefire and peace," as is its "constant position," according to a translation of his remarks.

Zelensky's spokesperson Sergii Nykyforov said in the translated Friday post:

"I have to refute the claims that we have refused to negotiate [...] We responded in agreement to the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation. Directly at these hours, the parties are consulting about the place and time of the negotiation process. The sooner the negotiations begin, the more chance there will be to restore normal life." A Ukrainian official reportedly confirmed the authenticity of the Facebook post to CBS News foreign affairs producer Camilla Schick.

It's not immediately clear where, when, or if a peace talks meeting will happen. But for many it marks a significant step that both sides are willing to see an end to the war.

According to Bloomberg, Russian President Vladimir Putin felt inspired to start talks with Ukraine after speaking with China’s Xi Jinping: "The offer came after a phone call between Putin and Xi in which the Russian leader said he was ready for talks 'taking into account the signals just received' from Ukraine, according to a Kremlin statement. Chinese state TV had earlier reported that Xi urged Russia and Ukraine to negotiate to 'resolve issues' on the call and had reiterated Beijing’s support for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity."

This is a massive shift in thinking for the Russian side, as earlier on Friday it was reported by The New York Times that the Kremlin was skeptical in discussing peace with Ukraine given the heavy fighting. Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov said the only way they would consider stopping the military aggression is if the Ukrainian people stopped their resistance to Russia's occupation.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak previously told Reuters that the country's leaders are still willing to talk with Moscow officials about the political issues at hand, even after this week's invasion by Putin's military.

Putin earlier called on Ukraine's military to overthrow the country's leadership.