Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he is open to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow but questioned whether such talks would be worthwhile.
Zelenskyy has been pressing for a face-to-face meeting to discuss a possible deal, while U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sought to broker a peace settlement, has said he wants the two leaders to meet.
Speaking at the end of a visit to China, Putin reiterated that he has never ruled out talks with Zelenskyy but said any meeting must be carefully prepared and lead to tangible results.
“As for a meeting with Zelenskyy, I have never ruled out the possibility of such a meeting. But is there any point? Let’s see,” Putin said.
The Russian leader also said Ukraine would need to cancel martial law, hold elections and conduct a referendum on territorial questions before progress could be made. He vowed to carry on fighting in Ukraine if a peace deal cannot be reached.
"I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel," Putin told reporters, including AFP, in Beijing, adding: "Let's see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to resolve all our tasks militarily."
Putin also said that Russian forces were "advancing on all fronts" on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Putin also said that an invitation was "on the table" for Trump to visit Russia, but there were no preparations for such a trip at the moment.
Putin issued the invitation when he met Trump in Alaska last month, wrapping up their joint press appearance by saying, in English, "next time in Moscow."
Meanwhile, Kyiv dismissed Russian President Putin’s proposal about Zelenskyy traveling to Moscow for talks.
“Donald asked me if it was possible to organize such a meeting. I said yes, that is possible. Ultimately, Zelenskyy can come to Moscow if he is ready — such a meeting will take place,” Putin told reporters in Beijing at the end of a four-day visit to China, in his first press conference since meeting Trump in Alaska last month.
Putin added that Zelenskyy could visit Moscow if there was a prospect of a favorable outcome.
At least seven countries have offered to host a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in response to Putin’s comments on X. Zelenskyy is ready to travel to any of these countries immediately, Sybiha said, adding that with his “unacceptable proposals from the outset, Putin is only making a fool of everyone.”
Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for direct talks with Putin to negotiate a cease-fire in the conflict, launched by the Kremlin in 2022. But Putin has consistently said he would only meet if such a summit were well-prepared, even as Russian forces continue heavy assaults.
Putin again questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, repeating his argument that the Ukrainian leader’s regular term expired last year. Zelenskyy remains in office under martial law, which allows him to extend his mandate in line with the constitution.
Kyiv has postponed elections because of martial law. Putin, however, has argued that Zelenskyy should step aside and that new elections are necessary to secure any peace deal.
Since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has seized control of about 20% of Ukraine. Moscow is demanding Kyiv relinquish the territories it illegally annexed, while Zelenskyy has categorically refused, saying Ukraine’s constitution prohibits giving up any land.
