Putin’s Moscow Invitation & Stipulated Conditions

At a press conference in Beijing following the SCO Summit and Victory Day parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his willingness to hold peace talks with Ukraine—but only under strict terms. He said he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if the latter traveled to Moscow, insisting such talks must be carefully prepared and yield “tangible results.”

Putin linked the meeting to conditions including:

• Ukraine ending martial law,

• Holding elections, and

• Conducting a referendum on territorial issues.

Moscow has long insisted these prerequisites are essential before any negotiations can begin.

Ukraine Rebukes the Venue & Labels the Offer “Unacceptable”

Ukraine quickly rejected the proposal. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “knowingly unacceptable,” stressing that several neutral countries—including Austria, the Vatican, Switzerland, and Gulf states—have already offered to host peace talks.

He emphasized that Zelenskyy remains open to dialogue, but only through a fair and neutral process rather than talks on Russia’s terms.

Diplomatic Impasse & Broader Context

This standoff comes amid intensified global diplomatic efforts to end the war:

• U.S. President Donald Trump has been brokering a potential peace summit.

• Previous Russian attempts at convening talks faltered over disputes about legitimacy, agenda, and venue.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy and tenure, insisting no summit can move forward without clarity on who is a recognized counterparty.

Conclusion

Putin’s conditional invitation and Ukraine’s swift rejection highlight the enduring diplomatic deadlock. With both sides unwilling to compromise on venue and preconditions, the path toward negotiations remains uncertain, even as international actors attempt to mediate.