Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow, provided the meeting is well-prepared and can yield positive outcomes.
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Putin revealed that US President Donald Trump had asked him to meet with Zelenskyy during their summit in Alaska last month.
“I have never refused this, provided the meeting is well-prepared and can lead to some positive potential outcomes,” Putin stated. He further emphasized that if Zelenskyy is ready, he should “come to Moscow – then the meeting will take place.”
This development comes amid ongoing efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, with Trump playing a mediating role.
The US-Russian presidential meeting in Alaska, which lasted about three hours, marked the first such gathering in over four years. Both leaders expressed optimism about the talks, highlighting “good results” and the need for continued efforts.
Putin underscored the importance of thorough preparation for any potential meeting with Zelenskyy. He believes that a well-prepared meeting could lead to positive outcomes, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
However, Putin’s insistence on holding the meeting in Moscow may pose a challenge, given Ukraine’s previous reservations about negotiating on Russian territory.
Ukraine has long been calling for international support to end the conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy has emphasized that Russia’s actions, including recent strikes on Ukrainian territory, demonstrate a need for stronger international pressure on Moscow.
The Ukrainian president has expressed willingness to engage in peace talks but stresses that any agreement must be based on robust security guarantees for Ukraine.
The international community continues to watch the developments closely, with many urging restraint and diplomacy. The meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing, alongside Kim Jong-un, highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the prospect of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine remains uncertain, dependent on the willingness of both parties to negotiate in good faith.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked debate, given his previous decree seemingly banning negotiations with Putin.
However, experts argue that this decree doesn’t necessarily preclude Zelenskyy from talking to Putin, as it primarily targets unauthorized negotiations.
According to a source close to the president’s office, the decree aimed to prevent attempts and prohibit others from conducting negotiations with Putin.
Zelenskyy signed the decree in response to Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, emphasizing that Putin “does not know what dignity and honesty are.”
Despite this, Zelenskyy expressed readiness for dialogue with a different Russian president. The decree’s primary purpose was to signal to those in Ukraine that unauthorized talks with Russians would not be tolerated.
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko clarified that the ban applies to others, not Zelenskyy himself, and that the constitution grants the president the authority to negotiate on behalf of the state.
Merezhko emphasized that Ukraine’s constitution supersedes any presidential decree. According to the constitution, the president represents the state in international relations, manages foreign policy, and negotiates international treaties. This implies that Zelenskyy, as the president, has the constitutional authority to engage in talks with Putin if he deems it necessary.
Zelenskyy has invited Putin to meet in Turkey, proposing direct peace talks with a precondition of a ceasefire. Western countries have demanded a 30-day truce before negotiations, but Moscow has resisted this proposal.
The situation remains uncertain, with ongoing drone attacks and diplomatic exchanges. Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage in direct talks offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.