Open to a Meeting
On May 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need to settle on a format for such discussions. During his evening address, Zelensky stated:
“Now Putin himself says he’s finally ready for real meetings—we gave him a little push, and we’ve long been prepared for these meetings—so we need to find a format.”
He added that 'this war must be ended—and security must be reliably guaranteed.'
Russia’s Response
On May 9, Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president’s foreign policy aide, declared Moscow’s willingness to host Zelensky, saying:
“Let him come.”
Following that, President Putin confirmed his openness to a meeting, noting it could take place either in Moscow or in a third country.
Also noteworthy is Putin’s May 9 claim that the war in Ukraine is coming to an end. However, according to The Guardian, conditions inside Russia are deteriorating, with no significant battlefield gains by the Russian military. Subsequently, two senior Kremlin officials attempted to downplay Putin’s remarks about the war ending.
The prospect of a Zelensky-Putin meeting opens new avenues for negotiations that could reshape the regional situation. If successful, such talks might mark a crucial step toward de-escalating the conflict and fostering more stable ties between Ukraine and Russia. Still, given the current battlefield dynamics and internal political challenges in both nations, the outcome of any negotiations remains uncertain.