Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once preliminary preparations are completed, the Kremlin stated on Monday.
“The president himself does not rule out such a meeting after the necessary work is done at the expert level and the necessary distance has been covered,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
However, Peskov noted that this preparatory work “has not yet been done.” Zelenskyy proposed a direct meeting with Putin last week following the Kremlin leader’s hope for further peace talks and his statement about Russian troops “advancing on the entire front line.”
Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to move beyond technical discussions and engage in a leaders’ meeting, stating on X on August 1, “We understand who calls the shots in Russia, and thus Ukraine is once again offering to move beyond technical talks — not to exchange statements, but to actually meet at the level of leaders.”
Peskov’s remarks came before the upcoming expiration of U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tariffs, initially set for 50 days but recently shortened to 10 days due to Trump’s disappointment with Putin. Trump mentioned that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would visit Russia shortly, with Peskov stating, “we are always happy to see Mr. Witkoff in Russia.”
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