Zelensky openly expressed his intentions regarding possible negotiations with Vladimir Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during an official press conference held on May 13, spoke about his vision for future dialogue with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The main topic of this conversation will be the issue of the irreversible cessation of hostilities and establishing long-term peace in the Ukrainian region. According to the Ukrainian president, he does not rule out the possibility of a personal meeting with the Russian leader, but under the condition of thorough preparation and specific agreements regarding the substance of the negotiations. Zelensky emphasized that he aims to do everything possible to ensure such a meeting takes place in the near future. "We will do everything to make this meeting happen," he stated. He added that it is important for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be not only prepared to voice his position in the media space but also to be willing to engage in real negotiations. "If Putin is truly ready not only to talk publicly but also to sit at the negotiation table — then we have a chance to reach an agreement," Zelensky noted. The Ukrainian leader stressed that the main topic of the upcoming discussion would be the full cessation of hostilities and the stabilization of the situation in the region. "I will insist that we agree on an all-encompassing and unequivocal ceasefire. This is our priority — to stop the bloodshed and restore Ukraine's control over its borders and territories," he added. Zelensky highlighted that the Russian president is the primary actor who can make the decision to end the war. "I need to speak with him because he is ultimately responsible for this situation. He is the one who can give the command to stop hostilities and initiate the peace negotiation process," the head of state asserted. Talks about a possible meeting between Ukrainian and Russian leaders have repeatedly occurred in political circles; however, direct contacts so far have been limited to diplomatic declarations and informal meetings on international platforms. Zelensky is convinced that dialogue between the two countries should be far from merely symbolic — it must be genuine and effective, as the outcome of such negotiations will determine the fate of millions of Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion. It is worth noting that recently, in Kyiv and Moscow, awareness of the necessity to seek compromises that could bring an end to the war has heightened. Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that he is prepared to make concessions, but only in exchange for long-term and reliable security guarantees for the Ukrainian people and the restoration of national sovereignty. So far, no official dates or specific agreements regarding a potential leaders' meeting have been announced. However, in diplomatic circles, interest in this topic is growing, as the success of such negotiations will not only determine the end of the war but also shape the future of the entire region. Zelensky assures that he will do everything possible for this historic moment to arrive and serve as a catalyst for restoring peace and stability in Ukraine and the surrounding territories.