Zelenskyy on Putin’s statement regarding the meeting: we need to determine the format and bring the war to an end

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Putin is finally ready for substantive meetings. Photo: Office of the President

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ‘finally ready for real meetings’, so now we need to find a format for negotiations and end the war.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this in an evening address.

The President emphasised that Ukraine has long been ready for meetings, and the main task must be to end the war and secure reliable security guarantees.

— Now Putin himself says he is finally ready for real meetings — we gave him a little nudge, and we have long been prepared for meetings — so we need to find a format. We must end this war — and reliably guarantee security, — Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

Earlier, Vladimir Putin stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy could come to Moscow for a meeting. He also allowed for negotiations in a third country, but on condition that final agreements on a peace treaty are reached.

The day before, European Council President António Costa announced that EU leaders were discussing preparations for possible negotiations with Russia on ending the war.

According to him, consultations are ongoing among EU countries regarding the format of a potential dialogue and a possible representative for the talks.

The Office of the President of Ukraine also stated the need for greater coordination between European countries.

We would also like to remind you that the Russian President’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, stated that trilateral talks involving the US, Ukraine and Russia are currently ‘inappropriate’ until Kyiv withdraws Ukrainian troops from the part of Donbas under its control.