Putin Says He Would Meet Zelensky Only to Finalize End of War

Dmitry Peskov says a meeting is only possible if negotiators agree on a specific settlement, ruling out talks without prior terms. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin talks to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during an expanded meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Heads of State Council at the Palace of Nation in Dushanbe on October 10, 2025. (Photo by Grigory SYSOYEV / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian President Vladimir Putin would be prepared to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky only to agree on final arrangements to end the war, not to conduct preliminary negotiations, Reuters reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a face‑to‑face meeting between the two leaders would be possible only after negotiators had reached agreements at lower levels, leaving the presidents to formally approve the outcome. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive,” Peskov said, according to the report. The comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to explore possible paths toward ending Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine , now in its fourth year. Kyiv has repeatedly said any negotiations must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity. Meanwhile, Moscow has insisted that talks reflect historical narratives and territorial gains for the Kremlin. Earlier this month, Kyrylo Budanov , head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office and key negotiator, said contacts involving Russia, Ukraine , and the US were ongoing , though he acknowledged that no final decisions had been made. US envoys are planning to visit Putin, but there has been no indication of imminent direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.