Kiev – Ukraine has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal that President Volodymyr Zelensky travel to Moscow for peace talks.

Putin, speaking to reporters in Beijing on Wednesday, said Zelensky could come to the Russian capital if negotiations were well-prepared and had a chance of producing positive results. He repeated his stance that a summit should only take place at the final stage of talks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga responded on X, noting that at least seven countries, including Hungary, Switzerland, and Türkiye, have offered to host potential negotiations. He stressed that Zelensky is ready for a meeting “at any time” but criticized Putin for making “knowingly unacceptable proposals,” calling instead for stronger international pressure on Russia.

Putin also questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, pointing out that his five-year presidential term expired last year and no elections were held due to martial law.

Russia has maintained that for a lasting peace, Ukraine must accept its revised borders and drop its bid to join NATO.