US President Donald Trump has suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy travel to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin, according to Bloomberg. According to the agency, the Ukrainian president rejected the proposal, which was put forward on 22 September during talks between the leaders in New York. The initiative concerned a specific venue for contact, rather than an agreed meeting.
Briefly about the main points
- Bloomberg reported on a proposal to hold talks in the Russian capital.
- According to the agency, Zelenskyy declined to travel to Moscow.
- The discussion about a possible venue took place behind closed doors.
- Washington is trying to restart the negotiation process between Kyiv and Moscow.
- The White House has not commented on the Bloomberg report.
The initiative was part of the search for a negotiating framework
According to Bloomberg, Trump Once again, he named Moscow as a possible venue for direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents. The agency links this initiative to Washington’s attempts to resume peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
The discussion centred on an issue raised during a private conversation, rather than on agreeing the date, agenda or terms of a future meeting. Office of the President of Ukraine reported after the talks that Zelensky and Trump discussed de-escalation measures that could pave the way for diplomacy.
The White House Bloomberg did not respond to a request for comment, so the details of the initiative are based on the agency’s report and its sources. There is no officially confirmed meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin No announcement has yet been made in Moscow.
At the same time, the US is pushing for discussions on a mutual cessation of attacks on energy targets, the reopening of the Black Sea grain corridor and a possible trilateral format involving the US, Ukraine and Russia, Axios reported.
The comment about the «rocket» did not constitute consent to the trip
Sources speaking to Bloomberg, who are familiar with the Ukrainian president’s position, said that Moscow’s renewed raising of the issue had caused Zelenskyy to express his dissatisfaction.
On 23 September, he replied to a Russian journalist’s question about a possible trip to the Russian capital by saying, «on a rocket». The Kyiv Independent reported on this incident; the remark did not imply agreement to hold talks in Moscow.
At the same time, the rejection of the proposed forum does not mean that Ukraine is turning its back on any diplomatic formats. Zelenskyy has stated his readiness for a trilateral meeting involving Trump, but has said that he sees no signs that Putin is prepared for negotiations.
