Kremlin revives Putin–Zelenskyy meeting talks, sets conditions

According to Ushakov, the issue of a possible meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is not new for Moscow and has been raised repeatedly during phone calls between Putin and Trump.

"During these contacts, Trump, in particular, suggested that we consider such a possibility. Our approach remains logical: we have never refused such contacts," the Kremlin representative said.

However, as usual, Moscow is putting forward two key conditions for holding such a meeting.

"First, the contacts must be well prepared. Second, they must be aimed at achieving concrete positive results," Ushakov said.

He also claims that Putin is allegedly ready to receive the president of Ukraine in Moscow if he agrees to negotiations.

"If Zelenskyy is truly ready for a meeting, we invite him to Moscow and guarantee security and the necessary conditions for work," the aide to the Russian ruler added.

Statements about a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin

In Russia, statements about a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been made more than once, but demands are constantly put forward.

Thus, in May 2025, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that such a meeting was possible only as a "result of specific agreements" between the parties.

In August last year, Peskov said that Putin allegedly did not object to a meeting with Zelenskyy, but demanded that it be well prepared and end with the signing of a peace agreement.

In September, Putin himself said that he "does not rule out" a meeting with the Ukrainian president, but noted that for this, Zelenskyy must come to Moscow.

At the same time, the president of Ukraine has repeatedly emphasized his readiness for negotiations, in particular in the format of a trilateral meeting, but rejected the conditions put forward by the Russian president.