Zelenskyy Rejects Moscow Talks, Tells Putin: “Come to Kyiv Instead”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion of holding negotiations in Moscow, declaring that such a meeting is impossible while Ukraine is under constant missile fire. Instead, Zelenskyy invited Putin to come to Kyiv if he is genuinely interested in peace talks.
The Gaze reports this, referring to ABC News.
In an interview with ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, the Ukrainian president said: “He [Putin] can come to Kyiv. I can't go to Moscow when my country's under missiles, under attack, each day. I can't go to the capital of this terrorist.”
Zelenskyy argued that Putin’s proposal was not a genuine offer to meet, but rather a tactic to stall and create the appearance of openness.
“If a person doesn’t want to meet during a war, of course, he can propose something that will not be acceptable,” he said.
Putin had earlier stated he was “not against” meeting Zelenskyy, but only if the Ukrainian leader agreed to travel to Moscow.
“If Zelenskyy is ready, then let him come to Moscow,” Putin said. “This meeting will take place.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha dismissed the idea as “unacceptable,” pointing out that several neutral states, including Austria, Switzerland, Türkiye, and multiple Gulf countries, have already signaled readiness to host a summit.
During the interview, Zelenskyy also accused the Kremlin of “playing games with the United States” rather than seeking real negotiations.
The Ukrainian president reiterated his readiness for dialogue “in any format” that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Zelenskyy gave the interview after touring a U.S.-owned manufacturing plant in western Ukraine that was recently hit by Russian missiles – an attack that underscored his argument that peace discussions cannot take place in Moscow while the war rages on.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the European Union reaffirmed its united stance in support of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly, stressing that a full and unconditional ceasefire is the only way to create the conditions for meaningful peace negotiations with Russia.