Putin Open to Meeting Zelensky If Conflict Issues Are Resolved, Says Lavrov

Potential Meeting Between Putin and Zelensky

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has indicated that President Vladimir Putin is willing to engage in discussions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, contingent upon the thorough resolution of all matters related to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.

In an interview with RT, Lavrov stated, "The Russian president has consistently expressed his readiness to meet, including with Zelensky, provided that all pertinent issues requiring high-level consideration have been meticulously addressed by experts and ministers."

Following recent discussions with both leaders, US President Donald Trump proposed that Putin and Zelensky should hold a direct meeting before any potential trilateral summit involving him, as reported by RT. Zelensky, who was in Washington on Monday, expressed his willingness to negotiate with Putin.

Lavrov noted that Zelensky is eager for a quick meeting with Putin to maintain his visibility on the international stage, suggesting that he is worried about waning global attention.

The foreign minister also pointed out that Zelensky had previously dismissed the idea of talks with Putin and had enacted a decree in 2022 prohibiting such negotiations, which remains in effect.

Lavrov remarked, "Clearly, his efforts to arrange a summit with the Russian leader aim to project a seemingly constructive approach to the settlement process, but in reality, it merely substitutes the serious, challenging work needed to establish the principles for a sustainable resolution of the crisis with superficial theatrics reminiscent of KVN and Kvartal 95," referring to the entertainment shows in which Zelensky participated during his comedic career.