The Kremlin has expressed the possibility of arranging a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but this would be contingent upon certain conditions and agreements between the delegations of both sides
This information was confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in a comment to TASS agency, emphasizing that the final decision on the meeting depends on the fulfillment of specific, concrete commitments. In particular, Peskov stated that Russia will prepare and provide Ukraine with a list of demands for a ceasefire. “First and foremost, the agreements reached in Istanbul, including the exchange of prisoners on a 1000 to 1000 basis, must be implemented,” he noted. Additionally, he highlighted that Russia stresses the importance of who exactly will represent Ukraine in signing any documents, since any agreements must be coordinated between the delegations of both countries. The Kremlin also emphasized that there are no plans to change the composition of the Russian delegation during the negotiations with Ukraine. Meanwhile, recent events suggest some movement in diplomatic negotiations: on May 16 in Istanbul, direct consultations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place for the first time in over three years. Following this meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that the main topics discussed included a ceasefire, humanitarian issues, and the possibility of a summit at the leader level. Giorgi Tikey, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman, commented on the negotiations' outcome, telling journalists that the Russian delegation expressed a number of positions that the Ukrainian side considers unacceptable. However, he did not disclose specific details regarding the content of these objections. At the same time, the Kremlin emphasizes that there are currently no plans to change the composition of the Russian delegation involved in negotiations with Ukraine. This means that any changes in approach or representation must be agreed upon in advance and are not scheduled for the near future. Therefore, the possibility of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin remains open, but its realization entirely depends on the observance of certain agreements and conditions set by both sides. Ongoing diplomatic talks and careful preparations indicate that, despite the difficult situation, efforts to maintain diplomatic channels and seek peace continue. However, whether the meeting will take place soon depends on the outcomes of fulfilling the prerequisites outlined by the Kremlin.