The Kremlin on Tuesday stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could travel to Moscow for negotiations if he is willing to engage in "responsible and serious" discussions aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. However, it emphasized that no official communication channels currently exist between Russia and Ukraine.
Kremlin Spokesperson's Remarks
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made these comments during a media briefing, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS. He noted the absence of formal mechanisms for dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv but indicated Russia's openness to direct engagement under specific conditions.
"There are no official channels for communication between Moscow and Kyiv," Peskov said, according to TASS.
He added that Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if he is willing to hold substantive discussions on ending the conflict. "Zelensky, you know that Putin has actually said everything, everything was offered. It was said and repeated several times that if Zelensky is ready to speak responsibly and seriously, the Kyiv regime knows perfectly well what he is talking about, then he can always come to Moscow, where he will be received," Peskov stated.
Renewed Diplomatic Activity
The Kremlin's remarks follow renewed diplomatic activity around the Ukraine war. U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. After the meeting, Trump said Russia should agree to a peace deal with Ukraine and that he would do "whatever" he could to help end the conflict. "Look, Russia should make a deal," Trump told reporters, according to Reuters.
Zelenskyy later stated that G7 leaders agreed Russia is not winning the war and discussed possible additional sanctions targeting Moscow's oil exports, banking sector, and military production.
Upcoming U.S. Visit to Russia
Peskov also commented on the anticipated visit of U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Russia for talks related to the Ukraine conflict. He said no exact dates have been finalized. "There are no exact dates for the visit of American emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Russia yet," Peskov said.
"The American negotiators will arrive soon, but there are no exact dates yet. As you know, the Americans are busy preparing and signing the memorandum that has been agreed upon. We know that the signing is scheduled for Switzerland at the end of this week. After that, they will probably be able to travel to Moscow," he added.
G7 Summit Dynamics
European leaders at the G7 summit were pushing Trump to adopt a tougher stance against Moscow, including through possible additional sanctions. Ukrainian officials aimed to highlight Kyiv's battlefield position and increase pressure on Russia.
Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not been invited to the G7 Summit. "There was no invitation, of course," he said.
The Kremlin spokesperson also clarified that Putin and Trump did not discuss a potential meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy during their latest phone call. He added that no one has approached Russia with a proposal to arrange such a meeting.
