By Gloria Nosa
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow for peace negotiations, raising the idea during a recent phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The development comes at a delicate moment, as Trump convened high-level talks in Washington with Zelensky and several European leaders from Germany, France, Finland, Italy, and the United Kingdom—nations that have been among Kyiv’s strongest backers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
According to sources briefed on the exchange, Putin “mentioned Moscow” as a possible venue for a peace summit. Zelensky, however, swiftly dismissed the suggestion, telling Trump that he would not attend any negotiations on Russian soil. European leaders present at the Washington summit reportedly advised Trump that Putin’s proposal “did not seem like a good idea,” citing Moscow’s ongoing military offensives and its failure to demonstrate genuine commitment to peace.
Despite the pushback, Trump emphasized afterward that a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelensky could be an essential step toward ending a war now entering its fourth year. He has repeatedly pressed for renewed diplomatic initiatives, even as U.S. allies voice deep skepticism over Putin’s intentions and credibility.
Zelensky has in recent weeks reiterated his openness to direct talks with Russia’s leader—but only under terms that guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. Since the invasion began, tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, leaving the conflict as one of Europe’s gravest crises since World War II.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov later confirmed to Russian state media that Putin told Trump he was receptive to the “idea” of direct talks with Zelensky, though no framework, timeline, or conditions were set out.
For now, Putin’s proposal underscores both the difficulty and urgency of finding a diplomatic breakthrough. With the war grinding on and battlefield dynamics largely stalemated, pressure continues to mount on global powers to explore paths toward peace—even amid profound doubts about Moscow’s sincerity.
