Zelensky Pushes Direct Meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the United States, arguing that a US-based format could make it harder for Moscow to reject a face-to-face meeting. Zelensky said he discussed the idea with US President Donald Trump and was waiting to see whether the proposal would move forward. He also said Ukraine had offered to meet Putin during the G7 summit in France, but Russia had shown no willingness to engage.
Russia Shows No Interest
Zelensky said Putin has repeatedly avoided direct talks despite Kyiv’s efforts to create a path toward ending the war. He warned that if Russia refuses another opportunity for negotiations, additional pressure will be needed. The Ukrainian leader has framed direct engagement as a necessary step because lower-level talks have not produced a peace agreement. His latest remarks come as Ukraine’s allies use the G7 summit to discuss military support, sanctions and possible diplomatic options for ending the conflict.
Putin Rejects Immediate Talks
Putin has dismissed the idea of an immediate meeting with Zelensky, saying expert-level negotiations should come first. Speaking earlier at Russia’s main economic forum, Putin said he saw no point in meeting unless agreements were developed in advance. He also argued that Ukraine should first stop the advance of Russian forces, a position Kyiv rejects as unacceptable while fighting continues. The gap between the two leaders shows why a direct meeting remains politically difficult even with US involvement.
War Diplomacy Faces Test
The war has continued since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with no final settlement in sight. Trump’s role has become central to renewed diplomatic efforts, but no breakthrough has been confirmed. Zelensky’s proposal for a US venue is designed to increase pressure on Putin while keeping Washington directly involved in any possible peace format. For now, the plan remains uncertain, and its success depends on whether Moscow agrees to move beyond public refusals and enter direct negotiations.
