The Kremlin has indicated that a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could happen, but only if ongoing peace negotiations produce concrete results.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said a summit remains on the table but depends on significant advances from talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. This statement came after a rare two-hour meeting in Istanbul, the first official dialogue between the sides since 2022, brokered by Turkish mediators.
Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky described the talks as “satisfactory,” with agreements to exchange ceasefire proposals, consider follow-up meetings, and execute a major prisoner swap. Moscow is ready to “resume contacts” with Kyiv, he added.
However, Peskov raised doubts about who in Ukraine holds the authority to sign any agreement, citing a constitutional crisis due to suspended elections under martial law and Russia’s view of Zelensky’s presidency as “illegitimate.”
Leaked reports suggest Moscow’s demands include Ukraine adopting neutrality, banning foreign troops and nuclear weapons, recognizing territorial losses, and withdrawing forces before a ceasefire. The Kremlin declined to comment on these leaks, emphasizing the need for confidential negotiations.
While the United States has not been briefed on the Istanbul talks, Russia confirmed it has no plans to change its negotiating team. Ukraine initially insisted on a 30-day unconditional ceasefire before talks, a demand Russia rejected.
Zelensky reconsidered his stance on negotiations following public appeals from former US President Donald Trump. The possibility of a Putin-Zelensky summit now hinges on continued progress behind closed doors in the fragile peace process.