Kremlin: Putin Will Meet Zelenskiy Only To Finalise Conflict Agreements

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy only if the talks have a clear, productive purpose: to finalise concrete agreements on the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television, according to Russian news agencies and Reuters.

Peskov's remarks followed a statement from Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, that Kyiv had asked Turkey to host a meeting between the two leaders in an effort to revive stalled peace negotiations.

'The main thing is the goal of this meeting. Why should they meet? Putin has said he is ready for a meeting in Moscow at any moment,' the Kremlin spokesman was quoted as saying.

'The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive. And it can only be for the purpose of finalising agreements,' Peskov added.

Peskov said any summit would require careful preparation and 'political will from the Kyiv regime,' adding: 'And for now, we see no such political will.' He framed Russia's military objectives — referred to by Moscow as a 'special military operation' — as protecting what it describes as vital interests and guarding against strikes on energy and other infrastructure, which he called 'the danger of terrorism from the Kyiv region.'

Separately, Peskov said Russia remained open to further negotiations with U.S. mediators and was prepared to hold talks 'even tomorrow.' Sybiha earlier confirmed Kyiv's request for Turkey to host a meeting but did not disclose Ankara's response. The Turkish presidency said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Ankara is working to revive negotiations and to bring the leaders together.

This account is based on Reuters reporting and statements from Russian and Ukrainian officials and the Turkish presidency.