Kremlin signals possible Zelenskyy-Putin talks, sets condition
Photo: Russian dictator's press secretary Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
The Kremlin has not ruled out a meeting between Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Moscow insists that such a meeting would only be possible if "certain agreements" are reached, according to the press secretary of the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, as quoted by Russian media.
Peskov stated that a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin could take place if “certain agreements” are reached.
"We consider such a meeting possible as the result of work by the delegations of both sides, and only if certain agreements are reached by those delegations," the dictator’s spokesperson said.
Peskov also stated that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine "are ongoing and must continue behind closed doors." He added that there are currently no plans to change the composition of the Russian delegation.
At the same time, the dictator’s spokesperson emphasized that for Russia, "the main and fundamental issue" during the signing of any documents between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is the identity of the signatory representing Ukraine.
According to Peskov, Russia and Ukraine have also agreed to exchange lists of conditions for a ceasefire.
First Ukraine-Russia meeting in three years
As a reminder, on May 15, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin ignored a proposed meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Türkiye. However, on the following day, May 16, the first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in three years took place in Istanbul. The negotiations lasted just over an hour, but the sides did not reach an agreement on a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian side was headed by Putin’s aide Vladimir Medinsky, who also participated in negotiations in 2022. Putin faced criticism for sending second-tier officials to talks with Ukraine.
Despite the lack of a breakthrough, the two sides agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange based on a "1,000 for 1,000" formula.
Sources cited by RBC-Ukraine reported that Russia presented a number of unacceptable demands during the negotiations. These included Ukraine agreeing to neutral status, giving up five regions (including some not under Russian control), withdrawing its forces from those territories, and renouncing any claims for reparations.
Read more about the Istanbul talks in RBC-Ukraine’s full report.
