Zelenskyy indicates openness to a meeting with Putin in Kiev

In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been raging for over three and a half years, the venue for a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin continues to be a contentious issue.

Volodymyr Zelensky has previously rejected Moscow as a venue for talks, citing the ongoing daily attacks on Ukraine. Instead, he has suggested that Vladimir Putin could come to Kyiv for a possible meeting. This stance was reiterated recently when Zelensky responded to Putin's suggestion of a meeting in Moscow by saying, "If you want no meeting to take place, then invite me to Moscow."

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, insists on Moscow as the venue for a potential meeting. However, his stance on the talks remains uncertain, as he continues to question their necessity. At the economic forum in Vladivostok, Putin again denied Zelensky's legitimacy and questioned the point of such talks.

Switzerland (Geneva) has been proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a neutral country to host the meeting. Belarus hosted initial negotiation talks between delegations in February 2022 near the Prypjat river border. Additionally, at least seven countries, including Turkey and three Gulf states, have offered to host the summit. However, no new countries have come forward since the mention of these initial offers.

The three Gulf states offering to host the summit are considered neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This neutrality is crucial, as it aims to provide a fair and impartial platform for negotiations.

The talks, if they were to take place, could potentially shift the balance of power in the conflict. Talks in Moscow, for instance, would further strengthen the Kremlin's negotiating position, which still sees itself at an advantage on the front.

Throughout this conflict, Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for a meeting with Vladimir Putin to negotiate a ceasefire. The international community hopes that a resolution can be found to end the ongoing violence and bring peace to the region.

As the standoff continues, the international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a breakthrough that will lead to a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Zelenskyy indicates openness to a meeting with Putin in Kiev