There will be no negotiations until we complete the exchanges — Zelenskyy on next meeting with Russians

Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the conference. Photo: «_nikvesti»

Preparations for new talks at the level of leaders are possible only after the implementation of agreements on exchanges.

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, according to NikVesti.

«We must complete the result we agreed on at the second meeting — namely, exchanges. I think these steps will be taken in the near future. And only then will the teams be able to discuss the preparation of the meeting at the level of leaders,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He also noted that Ukraine was ready for any format of negotiations, including with the participation of the United States, and that the Vatican, Austria, Switzerland and Turkey were considered as possible venues.

«If we want a serious result and end this war, we need to prepare a meeting at the level of leaders. We are ready for any format at this level. Of course, Ukraine, Russia and America are the preferred format. There may be more than just words and guarantees at the negotiating table, but I can't tell you what will happen. As for the platform for the talks, I am grateful to the Vatican for taking the initiative to bring the leaders together. I am very glad that the Vatican is open to this proposal. There are also initiatives from Austria and Switzerland as neutral countries, as well as direct proposals from the Turkish side,» the president said.

As a reminder, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he does not rule out the possibility of peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but questions his right to sign any international agreements. According to him, the Kremlin does not recognise the current Ukrainian president as a legitimate representative of the state.

Earlier, Putin said he did not support the idea of holding talks with Ukraine at the level of leaders and compared the Ukrainian government to a terrorist organisation.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready for a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin and offered Russia a temporary ceasefire before it.