Zelensky said he would be willing to meet Putin on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, scheduled to take place in Miami, Florida, in December 2026, if both leaders are invited.
Speaking to Deutsche Welle, Zelensky said, “We need to meet, talk and make decisions.”
Putin’s spokesperson responded shortly afterward, saying that if Zelensky wants talks, he should come to Moscow to meet Putin.
Zelensky’s remarks come as the United States continues efforts to revive negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv after diplomatic efforts appeared to have stalled for some time.
Last weekend, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv as part of efforts to find a way to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has continued for years.
Zelensky described the envoys’ visits to both countries as a “good sign,” saying their decision to also travel to Ukraine demonstrated respect for the Ukrainian people.
Meanwhile, Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump recently held a phone conversation focused on the war. The Kremlin described the call as a serious and candid discussion about the conflict and efforts to find a possible path toward ending it.
