Kremlin: Ukraine’s Stance Blocks Direct Negotiations, Making Putin–Zelensky Meeting Unrealistic
The Kremlin stated Wednesday that a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could only be organized through a carefully prepared expert-level process, stressing that such high-level contacts are not possible at present as Kyiv has suspended negotiations. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump insisted that a face-to-face meeting was necessary to help resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also addressed several key issues. He denounced the European Commission’s plan to allocate €2 billion to Ukraine for drones using frozen Russian assets, calling it outright “theft.” On Ukraine’s accusations that Russia is damaging the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Peskov dismissed the claims as “stupid,” emphasizing that the facility is operated by Russia. He underlined that Moscow is doing everything possible to ensure the plant’s safety and remains in constant contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Peskov further stressed that Russia continues to prioritize peace while simultaneously strengthening its armed forces. He noted that Russian troops are occasionally compelled to take “measures to maintain order” in response to provocations from European countries that disrupt Baltic navigation. In conclusion, he reiterated that direct negotiations with Kyiv remain blocked by Ukraine’s own stance, making any Putin–Zelensky meeting unrealistic at this stage.
