Kremlin says Zelensky can come to Moscow for talks any time

MOSCOW/KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can come to Moscow any time if he wishes to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, responding to Zelensky's open letter earlier in the day proposing a face-to-face meeting with Putin to discuss the peace process.

"Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting," Zelensky wrote in the letter, suggesting that Europe and the United States be involved.

He said it would be wrong to wait for the United States to refocus its attention on ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine while it currently focuses on its conflict with Iran.

Zelensky also called for setting a clear date for the meeting and said that Ukraine is prepared to implement a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations.

He noted that Switzerland, Turkiye and some Arab countries have expressed readiness to host such talks.

Peskov said the Kremlin has reviewed the letter and will report to Putin after his working meeting.

"President Putin has said that if Zelensky wants to talk, he can come to Moscow and do so," Peskov said.

Zelensky has repeatedly rejected Moscow as a venue for negotiations.

Commenting on US efforts to help resolve the Ukraine conflict, Peskov said Russia has never idealized the United States' role and that Russia's national interests remain the top priority.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington welcomed the prospect of direct talks between Zelensky and Putin, urging them to make compromises to end the yearslong conflict.

"I'm glad that they're maybe talking about meeting," Trump told reporters at the White House in response to an open letter in which Zelensky proposed direct talks with Putin. "I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done."

"They're going to both make compromises, I suggested those compromises, and … we've had a lot to do with it," Trump said.

Earlier on Thursday, on the sidelines of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin told reporters that he had accepted Trump's compromise proposals from last year's Alaska summit, saying they could "serve as a basis for agreements between Russia and Ukraine and put an end to the conflict".

He said that Moscow seeks a comprehensive settlement instead of a temporary truce.

Also on Thursday, Zelensky pledged that Ukraine would stick to a clear timetable for talks on joining the European Union and would fulfill its obligations to the 27-nation bloc.

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