Zelensky calls on Putin to hold talks, while the Kremlin insists on Moscow
This was stated by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, according to Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax. Earlier, Zelenskyy had proposed a meeting with Putin in an open letter, but not in Moscow or Kyiv, rather on neutral ground.
The Kremlin has responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s open letter to Putin, in which he proposed a face-to-face meeting to end the war.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the letter had been seen in Moscow. According to him, Putin has reportedly not yet had the opportunity to read it, and a briefing is due to take place later.
At the same time, the Kremlin responded to Zelenskyy’s proposal for a summit meeting with its usual formula – inviting the Ukrainian president to visit Moscow.
What the Kremlin said
Peskov stated that if Zelenskyy wishes to meet with Putin, he is welcome to come to Moscow.
According to the Kremlin spokesperson, “Putin said” that if Zelenskyy wants to talk, he can come to the Russian capital and “do so”.
This response effectively reiterates Moscow’s previous position regarding a possible meeting between the leaders.
What Zelenskyy proposed
In an open letter, Zelenskyy proposed that Putin set a specific date for a face-to-face meeting to end the war.
The Ukrainian president explicitly stated that a meeting in Moscow or Kyiv is impossible. In his words, after 26 years of Putin’s rule, the Ukrainian leader has “nothing to do” in “your capital”, just as the Russian leader has nothing to do in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy proposed holding talks in countries that traditionally host meetings on matters of war and peace. Among the possible venues, he named Switzerland, Turkey and countries in the Arab world.
Ceasefire and prisoner exchange
In the letter, Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire during the negotiations.
According to him, diplomacy must begin at the current front line, and the United States could provide monitoring of the ceasefire along the line of contact.
Separately, Zelenskyy proposed an exchange of prisoners of war on an ‘all for all’ basis and emphasised the need to return civilians and children taken by Russia during the war.
What is important
So far, the Kremlin has not given a substantive response to Zelenskyy’s proposal for a neutral venue, a ceasefire and direct talks.
Instead, Moscow has once again reiterated the condition that Zelenskyy must travel to the Russian capital, even though the Ukrainian president explicitly ruled out Moscow as a possible venue in his letter.
There is currently no official date for talks between Zelenskyy and Putin.
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