Ukraine rules out Putin-Zelensky meeting in Moscow

The summit in the Russian capital would be “unacceptable,” Kiev’s top diplomat has said.

Kiev has rejected a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky in Moscow.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing on Wednesday, Putin suggested that Zelensky could travel to the Russian capital to negotiate peace terms. Hungary, Switzerland, and Türkiye are among the countries that previously expressed readiness to host the talks.

In a post on X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga said that at least seven countries are prepared to host a potential Putin-Zelensky summit. “These are serious proposals and President Zelenskyy is ready for such a meeting at any time,” he wrote, using the Ukrainian spelling of Zelensky’s name.

“Yet, Putin continues to mess around with everyone by making knowingly unacceptable proposals,” Sibiga wrote, calling for “increased pressure” on Russia.

Putin has repeatedly said he is open to meeting with Zelensky at the “final stage” of negotiations. He reiterated on Wednesday that a summit could take place if it is “properly prepared and would yield positive results.”

“At the end of the day, if Zelensky is ready, he can travel to Moscow,” he said.

At the same time, the Russian leader again questioned Zelensky’s status as head of state, noting that his five-year presidential term expired last year and no new election was called due to martial law in Ukraine.

Russia has insisted that for a lasting peace, Ukraine must recognize its new borders and abandon plans to join NATO.