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The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only if the talks are aimed at signing a peace agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media Vesti that Putin has repeatedly expressed willingness to meet Zelenskyy.
“The main thing is the purpose of the meeting. Why should they meet? Putin said he is ready to meet in Moscow at any time,” Peskov said.
“The main thing is that there is a purpose for the meeting, and most importantly, that the meeting be productive, and this can only be for the purpose of finalizing agreements," he said.
Peskov added that such a meeting must be preceded by “serious work,” claiming Ukraine lacks the “political will” to resolve the conflict.
“Moscow does not see the political will on the part of Kyiv to resolve the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.
Zelenskyy said earlier Wednesday that Ukraine is ready for talks “at any time” and in any format, but added that progress does not depend solely on Kyiv.
“In principle, we are ready for any format of negotiations at any time,” he told journalists, while noting that the resumption of talks “does not depend on us.”
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He said preferred venues include locations where previous meetings have been held, specifically citing Türkiye and the Middle East.
“Although, in principle, we are not afraid to meet at any time in any country, except Russia and Belarus, we emphasize this once again. I am sure that the trilateral meeting should be resumed,” he added.
U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine have been held multiple times, but the process has stalled in recent weeks, partly due to the impact of the war involving Iran.
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