Russia Invites Zelensky to Moscow for Peace Talks, Promises Full Security Guarantees
The Russian government has announced that it is prepared to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow for direct peace talks with President Vladimir Putin, pledging to guarantee Zelensky’s personal safety during the visit.
The statement was made by senior Kremlin officials, who said Moscow has never ruled out direct dialogue with Kyiv and remains open to negotiations if they are properly prepared and aimed at concrete outcomes. According to the Kremlin, if President Zelensky is genuinely ready for a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin, Russia believes the most appropriate venue would be the Russian capital.
A senior aide to President Putin explained that Russia would provide full security guarantees and all necessary conditions for the Ukrainian leader to travel to Moscow and participate in talks. The aide stressed that the invitation is for negotiations, not for surrender or political pressure, adding that Russia considers direct dialogue at the highest level a possible step toward resolving key issues in the conflict.
The offer comes amid renewed international efforts to restart stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Discussions around a potential Putin–Zelensky meeting have reportedly featured in recent diplomatic contacts involving the United States, as global actors continue to search for ways to bring the war to an end.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated that President Zelensky is open to meeting Vladimir Putin in person, but Kyiv has also expressed reservations about the location of such talks. In the past, Zelensky has suggested holding negotiations in a neutral country, arguing that ongoing hostilities and security concerns make travel to Moscow unacceptable while Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry has also maintained that any direct talks must include clear security guarantees for Ukraine and should involve international partners to ensure credible outcomes. Kyiv has emphasized that key issues such as territorial integrity and the future of occupied areas would need to be addressed in any serious negotiations.
Moscow, however, has dismissed proposals to hold talks in third countries, describing them as unnecessary conditions. Russian officials insist that if Ukraine truly wants direct dialogue, Moscow is ready to receive Zelensky and ensure his safety.
So far, there has been no official confirmation from Kyiv that President Zelensky will accept the invitation. The Ukrainian leadership has continued to call for a comprehensive framework for peace, including security guarantees and the involvement of Western allies, before agreeing to a leaders’ summit.
The latest Russian statement underscores the deep differences that remain between the two sides, even as both publicly signal openness to talks. Whether the offer will translate into a historic meeting between Putin and Zelensky remains uncertain, as fighting continues and diplomatic positions on both sides remain far apart.
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