Putin comments on potential meeting with Zelensky
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he could potentially hold face-to-face talks with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, but only if Moscow and Kiev reach progress on a diplomatic settlement.
Putin made the remarks on Thursday as he spoke to reporters following talks in Moscow with UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. When asked whether he would oppose meeting Zelensky in person, Putin said he had “nothing in principle” against this.
However, “certain conditions must be created” for talks to take place, Putin said, adding, “Alas, we are still far from creating such conditions.”
Zelensky earlier reaffirmed Ukraine’s openness to talks with Russia, including in a trilateral format, stating: “Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war.”
Moscow, however, continues to question Zelensky’s legal capacity to sign binding agreements. The Ukrainian leader’s presidential term expired last year, and he refused to hold a new election, citing martial law. This prompted Moscow to declare him “illegitimate.”
Putin delivered his remarks one day after he met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, in Moscow. Following the three-hour talks, Moscow said the Russian and US leaders could meet as early as next week, with the UAE being a possible venue.
