Putin Reiterates Conditions for Zelensky Talks,Expresses Doubt Over Outcome
BEIJING – Russian President Vladimir putin stated today he is open to discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,but only if Zelenskyy travels to Moscow. Speaking at a press conference in China, Putin together cast doubt on the potential benefit of such a meeting, according to reports.
Putin’s offer is the latest in a series of proposals consistently linked to conditions unacceptable to Ukraine. He has previously stated he would only engage in talks once Ukraine agrees to Russian annexation of ukrainian territory and demilitarization, or when peace negotiations reach an “advanced stage.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded negatively to Putin’s latest statement, noting that at least seven countries have offered to host a meeting between the two presidents. Sybiha, via X (formerly Twitter), accused Putin of “deliberately making unacceptable proposals” and “fooling everyone.”
Putin also warned that if negotiations fail to end the conflict, Russia will continue to pursue its objectives “with arms violence.” He referenced Russia’s initial expectation of capturing Kyiv within three days in 2022, acknowledging current gains in eastern Ukraine have been incremental and costly.
The offer follows a claim last month by former U.S. president Donald Trump that Putin had agreed to a meeting with Zelenskyy, a claim later denied by the Russian Foreign Ministry. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated he no longer expects a meeting between the two leaders, following a large-scale Russian air raid on Kyiv, and labeled Putin a war criminal – a charge putin dismissed as an attempt to deflect responsibility for the conflict.
