Zelensky Rejects Putin’s Offer: ‘He Can Come to Kyiv’
9/6/2025 8:55:00 AM
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to visit Moscow for negotiations on a diplomatic settlement.
Zelensky said: “Putin can come to Kyiv. I cannot go to Moscow while my country is being shelled daily. I cannot go to the capital of this terrorist.”
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly emphasized that Putin is not seeking a meeting while continuing the war in Ukraine. He said that Putin’s offer was intended to “postpone the meeting”, stressing that he is ready to meet in any form. Zelensky also accused Putin of “playing games with the United States.”
He added: “If someone does not want to meet during a war, they can of course propose something that cannot be accepted by me or by others.”
Earlier, President Putin stated at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum that he was ready to meet Zelensky at the highest level, saying: “If the Ukrainian leadership is serious about negotiating, they should come to Moscow, and we will guarantee their security 100 percent.”
Putin emphasized that Russia is prepared to provide full security guarantees for both Zelensky and members of the Ukrainian delegation if they decide to travel to the Russian capital.
Zelensky said: “Putin can come to Kyiv. I cannot go to Moscow while my country is being shelled daily. I cannot go to the capital of this terrorist.”
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly emphasized that Putin is not seeking a meeting while continuing the war in Ukraine. He said that Putin’s offer was intended to “postpone the meeting”, stressing that he is ready to meet in any form. Zelensky also accused Putin of “playing games with the United States.”
He added: “If someone does not want to meet during a war, they can of course propose something that cannot be accepted by me or by others.”
Earlier, President Putin stated at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum that he was ready to meet Zelensky at the highest level, saying: “If the Ukrainian leadership is serious about negotiating, they should come to Moscow, and we will guarantee their security 100 percent.”
Putin emphasized that Russia is prepared to provide full security guarantees for both Zelensky and members of the Ukrainian delegation if they decide to travel to the Russian capital.