Putin offers Zelensky personal security guarantee
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he would guarantee the safety of Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, should he take up an offer to travel to Moscow for peace talks.
Putin has proposed the Russian capital as a venue for talks with the Ukrainian leader on several occasions, although Zelensky has dismissed the idea out of hand.
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Friday, Putin said Russia would “100%” ensure Zelensky would not be in danger during any visit.
“We are ready for meetings at the highest level. The Ukrainian side wants this meeting... I said: ‘I’m ready, please come. We will fully ensure the working conditions and security,” Putin said.
While reiterating a willingness to meet with Zelensky, Putin said he did not currently see “much sense” in in-person talks. Moscow has consistently said the details of a peace agreement must be in place before a top-level meeting is held.
Russia has also questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy to sign any peace agreements, given that his presidential term officially expired last year.
Focus on a potential Putin-Zelensky meeting increased following the Russian leader’s summit with US President Donald Trump in Alaska last month. Trump suggested that Putin and Zelensky could hold a bilateral meeting before conducting a trilateral gathering with his participation.
Earlier this week, Trump told CBS News, “Something is going to happen, but they are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done.”
Russia earlier offered to increase the level of its delegation for the next round of talks with Ukraine, following two sets of discussions earlier this year in Istanbul.
