Zelensky Signals Willingness to Meet Putin, Rejects Moscow Venue
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including on sensitive territorial issues, following a coordinated phone call involving Finnish and Norwegian leaders. While Kyiv welcomes the diplomatic opening, it firmly rejects Moscow as a meeting venue, insisting on a neutral location. Meanwhile, the Kremlin maintains its stance that any meeting must occur in Russia, and former Ukrainian officials have publicly urged Zelensky to leverage his past ties with Russia to secure a deal.