Statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set out the conditions required for a ceasefire before summer and responded to an invitation for talks in Moscow. Zelenskyy stated that a visit by a Ukrainian delegation to Moscow for direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin is impossible. He emphasized that such a meeting could not take place either in Moscow or in Kyiv.
“It is absolutely impossible for me to meet with Putin in Moscow. It's the same as meeting with Putin in Kyiv. I can just as well invite him to Kyiv, let him come. I am publicly inviting him, if he dares, of course.” - Volodymyr Zelenskyy
These remarks signal a refusal to hold direct talks in Moscow and constitute a public challenge for Putin to visit Kyiv instead. This diplomatic stance underscores the deep rift and lack of trust between the two nations' leadership.
Conditions for Ending the Conflict
Zelenskyy also outlined a sequence of steps that must be completed before the active phase of the conflict can end. These include:
- signing a security agreement with the United States;
- developing a joint plan for Ukraine's economic recovery with American and European partners;
- agreeing on a detailed peace plan.
According to him, these measures are necessary to achieve stability and peace in the region.
The conditions laid out by Zelenskyy highlight the critical importance of sustained international support for Ukraine, particularly regarding security guarantees and post-war reconstruction. His refusal to meet in Moscow appears to be a strategic move to assert Ukrainian sovereignty in negotiations with Russia, demonstrating a willingness for constructive dialogue only on terms that affirm Ukraine's agency. This position is likely to shape Ukraine's future diplomatic efforts as it seeks to maintain global backing and regional stability.