Putin will only meet Zelenskyy if Ukraine surrenders, says Ukraine's top diplomat
Photo: Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only if Kyiv surrenders first, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsia said in an interview with The Kyiv Independent.
During the interview, he was asked if negotiations are currently underway for a new meeting between Ukraine and Russia within the framework of delegations. Kyslytsya said this format is practically exhausted unless the Russian delegation receives a new mandate from Putin.
The First Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that, unlike the Ukrainian delegation — which operates with clear discipline, internal discussions, and exchange of ideas and approaches — the Russian side follows strict discipline in carrying out Putin’s orders.
According to Kyslytsya, Putin's mandate is to force Ukraine into capitulation. Ukraine proposes a ceasefire as a contribution to creating conditions for a leaders' meeting and agreements. However, Moscow demands capitulation first.
"They openly say: 'No, first you accept our demands – capitulation – and only then do we organize the leaders' meeting. And after that, you work on implementing those demands,'" Kyslytsya said.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations
In May 2025, Ukraine and Russia, with US mediation, resumed direct negotiations. President Zelenskyy personally flew to Istanbul and said he expected to meet Putin there. However, the Kremlin leader sent only his delegation.
In the following months, prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers’ bodies were agreed upon and carried out. But regarding peace, each side presented its own memorandum for ending the war. The terms are completely opposed.
Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire along the contact line for several months. This position was reflected in its document. Russia, however, still demands the surrender of several regions it cannot capture.
Regarding future meetings, months ago Putin said he was ready to meet Zelenskyy at the final stage. He added that he is not willing to sign any peace documents with him, claiming Zelenskyy is allegedly illegitimate.
Recently, the Ukrainian President stated that until the parties complete the exchanges agreed on at the second Istanbul meeting, it is too early to discuss full-scale negotiations between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington.
