Inside Putin’s Peace Pitch: Why Zelensky Refused Moscow Talks Despite Trump’s Push
Enet
Fresh details have emerged about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent suggestion of a peace summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow—a proposal raised during a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The discussion took place as Trump hosted high-level talks in Washington with Zelensky and European leaders from Germany, France, Finland, Italy, and the UK—all strong backers of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
According to sources familiar with the call, Putin floated Moscow as a potential venue for direct negotiations. Zelensky immediately dismissed the idea, reportedly telling Trump he would not participate in talks held on Russian territory.
European leaders present at the summit also advised Trump against endorsing Putin’s proposal, citing Russia’s ongoing military offensives and lack of trust in Moscow’s intentions.
Following the White House meeting, Trump stressed that a face-to-face encounter between Putin and Zelensky could mark a step toward ending the war, now in its fourth year without a decisive breakthrough. He has continued to advocate for renewed diplomacy, despite skepticism from U.S. allies.
Zelensky, while reiterating his openness to direct talks, has maintained that negotiations can only take place under conditions that safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Russia’s full-scale invasion has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, intensifying calls for a resolution.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to Russian state media that Putin had raised the idea with Trump but noted that no concrete framework for peace talks was presented.
