'If He Dares': Zelensky Invites Putin to Kyiv, Rules Out Moscow Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected the possibility of meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and instead publicly invited the Kremlin leader to Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky said:

“Of course, it is impossible for me to meet with Putin in Moscow. It is the same as meeting with Putin in Kyiv. I can also invite him to Kyiv – let him come. I will publicly invite him, of course, if he dares.”

Zelensky added that Ukraine wants to reach a constructive agreement on a real end to the war and hold a meeting that could be productive.

“But if someone does not want to meet, but cannot afford to say so directly for some reason, then these invitations to Moscow are being made. It is clear what is happening,” he said.

The president insisted Ukraine is serious about ending the war and that any workable leadership-level format is acceptable.

“I don’t know what result it will bring. But it will definitely be greater than what is happening today. Of course, we always advocate for Europeans to be in the process,” he said.

“But I am not sure the other two sides will support such a format specifically for a leaders’ meeting – not on security guarantees, for example, but on particularly complex issues,” Zelensky added.

Zelensky said he was ready for any format that could help end the war, but stressed this is impossible in Moscow or Belarus.

Other Topics of Interest

Putin’s Death or Ukraine Military Victory Needed for Lasting Peace, Ex-Canadian General Says

Retired Canadian Lieutenant General Christopher Coates says a lasting peace in Ukraine is unlikely while Putin remains in power, arguing that only a Ukrainian military victory – or Putin’s death – could create durable conditions for stability. Speaking after a visit to Ukraine, he said Russia is a declining power facing mounting economic and military strain. He also stressed that Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure are strategically significant, weakening Moscow’s revenues and war capacity.

“It is absolutely clear why – because these are states, one of which is an aggressor that started and is waging a war against us, killing us, and the other country is its partner in these actions,” he said.

After talks between the Ukrainian, Russian, and US delegations in Abu Dhabi, the United States did not rule out a possible Zelensky-Putin meeting in the near future.

Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Russia is only considering Moscow as the venue for such a meeting, adding that discussions of other locations were inappropriate.

Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said on Jan. 28 that Zelensky could come to Moscow for talks with Putin if he is willing, claiming Russia would guarantee his safety and proper conditions.

Commenting on Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha’s remarks about Zelensky’s readiness to meet, Ushakov said such a format was “not new” and had been discussed in phone calls with US President Donald Trump.

He insisted Russia “has never refused” direct talks but said they must be carefully prepared and focused on concrete results.

Sybiha told European Pravda that Zelensky is ready to meet Putin because key issues – including control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and territorial questions – remain unresolved. He argued that Russia continues to obstruct a settlement.

Putin reportedly floated Moscow as a venue in a late August 2025 call with Trump, but Zelensky rejected the idea. No meeting happened, and the two leaders have not met since 2019.