Zelenskyy rejects Putin’s Moscow invitation, calls it a 'tactic to delay talks'

Zelenskyy dismisses Putin's Moscow invitation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to meet in Moscow, describing it as a tactic to avoid genuine talks.

Speaking at a press conference in Paris after the “Coalition of the Willing” summit, Zelenskyy said US partners had relayed Putin’s proposal but questioned its intent.

“As I see it, if your aim is to prevent a meeting, then inviting me to Moscow is the way to go,” he said, casting doubt on Russia’s willingness to engage in real negotiations.

Zelensky REJECTS peace talks with Putin

His excuse: 'when you don’t want to have meeting, what do you do? Invite me to Moscow'

Putin’s common-sense offer IGNORED — by man who claims he wants conflict ended https://t.co/ReF5BDzTe3 pic.twitter.com/0d00vRcdu8

— RT (@RT_com) September 4, 2025

Responding to Putin's invitation, Zelenskyy said, “Our American partners have informed us that Putin has invited me to Moscow. I believe that if you want to prevent the meeting from taking place, you should invite me to Moscow."

He called it more of a diplomatic delay than a genuine effort to resolve the ongoing conflict.

Zelenskyy noted that Putin’s reference to a possible meeting might be interpreted as a positive sign, but stressed there was no real evidence that Moscow is committed to ending the war.

“A meeting is necessary. It’s not about desire, it’s about necessity. We’ve supported both a trilateral and a bilateral meeting in any format. I believe that Russia is doing everything it can to delay it," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed Zelenskyy’s concerns, labelling Putin’s offer to meet in Moscow as “unacceptable."

President Donald Trump said he would soon speak with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, following his earlier call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European counterparts.