Putin privately signaled he's open to a cease-fire in Ukraine. But Western officials remain skeptical, NYT reported

• Russia's war in Ukraine has lasted longer than President Vladimir Putin anticipated.
• Putin has considered a cease-fire since the early weeks of Russia's invasion, NYT reported.
• He renewed that interest but only under the condition that Russia could maintain seized territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin privately said he's open to peace talks with Ukraine multiple times since the early weeks of the invasion, The New York Times reported. But some Western officials told the Times that they remain skeptical.