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As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on, the Kremlin has maintained that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be prepared to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy only when both sides have a final agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders would be possible only after negotiators had reached agreements at lower levels.
He made it clear that the Russian president would not sit down for preliminary negotiations and that Putin would only be present to formally approve the outcome, Reuters reported.
“The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive,” Peskov said when asked if Putin would meet Zelenskyy.
The remark from Russia came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to explore possible paths toward ending the ongoing war that has entered its fifth year.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has repeatedly maintained that any negotiations between the two sides must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.
Moscow, on the other hand, insisted that the talks must reflect Russian historical narratives and territorial gains.
Earlier this month, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Office of the President and key negotiator, said contacts involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US were ongoing, though he acknowledged that no final decisions had been made.
In the midst of this, US envoys are planning to visit Russia and meet President Vladimir Putin. However, there has been no indication of imminent direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders would be possible only after negotiators had reached agreements at lower levels.
He made it clear that the Russian president would not sit down for preliminary negotiations and that Putin would only be present to formally approve the outcome, Reuters reported.
“The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive,” Peskov said when asked if Putin would meet Zelenskyy.
The remark from Russia came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to explore possible paths toward ending the ongoing war that has entered its fifth year.
Ukraine pushes for talks
Meanwhile, Ukraine has repeatedly maintained that any negotiations between the two sides must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.
Moscow, on the other hand, insisted that the talks must reflect Russian historical narratives and territorial gains.
Earlier this month, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Office of the President and key negotiator, said contacts involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US were ongoing, though he acknowledged that no final decisions had been made.
In the midst of this, US envoys are planning to visit Russia and meet President Vladimir Putin. However, there has been no indication of imminent direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
