Russia has always had this policy of negotiation. The reason is it has advantageous positive PR. And no matter what the West prints about Russia's offer to negotiate, including 'This shows Russia is weak','Proof that Russia is losing the war', and 'Russia is running out of weapons', it will always have very positive PR in Russia. As another benefit, it allows the West to fall on their own sword when they refuse to negotiate, and only shows they are disingenuous when they do agree to talk. Also, as long as Russia holds out the carrot to negotiate, and the West refuses, it justifies further Russian actions to defend itself. A good recent example is Russia deciding to cut off sales to Europe as a result of the EU imposing below market price cap on Russian energy exports. EU is stupid.