Ushakov also added that the President of Russia has repeatedly raised the issue of a meeting with Zelensky in his conversations with journalists, emphasizing the possibility of organizing safe and comfortable conditions for negotiations. "If Zelensky is really ready, we invite him," he clarified.
In addition, Putin's assistant reported that U.S. President Donald Trump, during phone calls with Putin, also expressed interest in organizing a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
“We have never refused such contacts, but it is important that they are carefully prepared and aimed at achieving specific results,” Ushakov noted.
The discussion of a possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky intensified after the trilateral negotiations held in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, which received positive feedback from all participants. An Axios source reported that the parties were "very close to a meeting."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga confirmed that Zelensky is open to negotiations with the Russian leader to discuss issues related to territories and the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. These topics remain the most sensitive and unresolved within the peace process, he emphasized.
In September 2025, Vladimir Putin also spoke about the possibility of a meeting with Zelensky, suggesting that negotiations be held in Moscow. However, according to the Ukrainian president, such a proposal indicates that the Russian side is not yet ready for a meeting.
