The Kremlin has once again suggested Moscow as a possible venue for a face-to-face meeting between Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Zelenskyy «may come to Moscow», where he would allegedly be provided with all the necessary security guarantees. At the same time, the Kremlin maintains that preparatory work at an expert level must take place before the summit.
Briefly about the main points
- The Kremlin has once again suggested Moscow as a venue for a possible meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy.
- Peskov stated that Zelenskyy would allegedly be provided with all the necessary security guarantees.
- The Kremlin says that work at expert level must take place before the leaders’ meeting.
- According to Peskov, Putin is also ready for another meeting with Donald Trump.
The Kremlin is once again inviting Zelenskyy to visit Moscow
The Kremlin’s diplomatic landscape remains unchanged for the time being: when it comes to personal matters Putin’s meeting with Zelenskyy, the Russian side once again refers to Moscow.
According to Peskov, the Kremlin’s stance on a possible summit has not changed.
«Putin said that Zelenskyy is welcome to come to Moscow if he wishes. He will be provided with all the necessary security guarantees.».
A Kremlin spokesperson made this statement on 23 September, in response to a question about the possibility of talks at the highest level.
Kyiv has previously rejected Moscow on several occasions as a suitable venue for a meeting against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
«Security guarantees» from one side in the war
Peskov gave assurances that the Russian side was prepared to guarantee Zelenskyy’s safety should he visit. It is precisely this wording that gives the Kremlin’s statement a somewhat paradoxical ring: Moscow is inviting the president of a country against which Russia is waging war to visit the Russian capital itself — under Russia’s own «security guarantees».
At the same time, Peskov stated that the Kremlin considers it inadvisable to hold a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy without prior work by the negotiating teams. According to him, a summit before the preparatory work at expert level had been completed would be a «waste of time».
Peskov stated that there are no preconditions for a «peace track»
At the same time as proposing a meeting in Moscow, the Kremlin spokesperson stated that the Russian side currently sees no preconditions for moving to a full-fledged «peace negotiation track». He nevertheless reiterated the claim that Moscow is allegedly ready for negotiations.
Thus, the Kremlin is simultaneously declaring its openness to negotiations, stating that there are no preconditions for them, and inviting the Ukrainian president to visit Moscow.
What Peskov said about the new meeting between Putin and Trump
Peskov was asked separately about a possible new face-to-face meeting between Putin and the US President Donald Trump.
According to the Kremlin spokesperson, both presidents are prepared to hold another meeting should the need arise. However, no specific arrangements have yet been made regarding the date.
