"Let him come to Moscow": Putin has once again set a condition for a meeting with Zelenskyy
During a conversation with the leaders of Norway and Finland, Vladimir Putin once again invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to come to Moscow for talks. The Russian side promised to ensure the Ukrainian leader’s complete safety.
This is being reported by propaganda media, citing Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov.
What is Moscow saying about the phone call with European leaders?
The leaders of Norway and Finland conveyed to the Kremlin Kyiv’s desire to establish direct contact at the highest level.
According to the Russian leader’s aide, Vladimir Putin’s phone call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Støre focused on resuming the trilateral dialogue involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
The Kremlin’s Conditions for Direct Negotiations
Yuri Ushakov stated that Moscow considers the Ukrainian leadership “illegitimate,” but is ready to receive the head of state in its capital to discuss a resolution to the war.
At the same time, our leader repeated – probably for the millionth time – that if Zelenskyy truly wants to hold direct talks, he should come to Moscow, where all conditions will be provided for him, including security,
– said the Russian presidential aide.
At the same time, the Kremlin representative emphasized that direct contact between the heads of state would only make sense at the final stage of the negotiation process.
According to him, the leaders should meet solely to sign finalized documents that negotiators will have worked out in advance.
Consultations on Further Dialogue
In Moscow, the conversation with Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gar Stere was described as substantive, and it was added that the parties agreed to hold further telephone consultations if necessary.
Ushakov also noted that the dialogue between Russia and the U.S. is currently proceeding in a working capacity. As previously reported on our website, Ukraine, the United States, and Russia have agreed to hold trilateral talks in November.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that territorial issues must be resolved exclusively at the leadership level; however, Kyiv categorically rejects any imposed conditions of neutrality or restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian army.