Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest proposal to hold peace talks in Moscow, instead inviting the Kremlin leader to come to Kyiv if he is genuinely interested in negotiations.
In an interview with U.S. media, Zelensky underscored that Ukraine remains under relentless bombardment, making a visit to the Russian capital impossible. “I cannot go to the capital of this terrorist. Ukraine is under missile attacks, under fire every day,” he said, describing Moscow as an unrealistic and politically loaded venue for meaningful dialogue.
The Ukrainian leader’s remarks came in response to Putin’s statement earlier this week that he was “ready” to meet with Zelensky, but only in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified that the invitation was extended “to talk, not to capitulate.” Zelensky, however, interpreted the offer as evidence of Russia’s lack of genuine commitment to ending the war. Speaking in Paris following a summit of the “coalition of the resolute,” he remarked, “If you want the meeting not to take place, you should invite me to Moscow.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has been attempting to broker direct talks between the two wartime leaders. At his recent summit with Putin in Alaska, Trump emphasized the need for either bilateral or trilateral discussions, with Washington playing a mediating role. He later hinted that a meeting might take place after Zelensky’s upcoming trip to Washington and consultations with European leaders. Yet Moscow has reportedly added fresh conditions to the talks while intensifying military pressure on Ukraine.
Zelensky also highlighted the scale of Russia’s ongoing military campaign, revealing that in just the first five days of September, Russian forces unleashed over 1,300 drones, nearly 900 guided bombs, and around 50 missiles across 14 Ukrainian regions. “This is the reality we face daily,” Zelensky wrote on social media, underlining why any talks must be held on Ukrainian terms.
Meanwhile, Trump, without offering a clear timeline, told U.S. reporters on Saturday, “Something will happen, but they are not ready yet… We’re going to do it,” leaving uncertainty about when or if a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin will materialize. For now, the prospect of Moscow hosting such talks seems remote, with Kyiv signaling that if dialogue is to take place at all, it must be on Ukrainian soil.