Zelensky Rejects Putin's Invitation to Negotiate in Moscow: "Ukraine's Security is a Priority"

In a new escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal yesterday, Friday, September 5, to visit Moscow for diplomatic negotiations.

This stance came after Putin's statements in which he offered full security guarantees for any Ukrainian delegation visiting Russia.

During an interview with ABC News, Zelensky said: "Putin can come to Kyiv. I cannot go to Moscow amid the daily rocket bombardment our country is facing. I cannot go there, and he knows that very well."

At the Eastern Economic Forum held in Moscow on Friday, Putin confirmed his readiness to meet Zelensky, stating: "If the Ukrainian leadership is serious about wanting to negotiate, they can come to Moscow, and we will ensure their security completely."

He also emphasized that Russia is ready to provide security guarantees for any Ukrainian delegation if they decide to travel to the Russian capital.

For his part, Zelensky has repeatedly confirmed that Putin is not seeking to start negotiations while the war in Ukraine continues.

Putin pointed out that reaching an agreement with Ukraine on the main issues at the moment is "impossible," given the "legal and technical difficulties" that prevent reaching an agreement.

Putin added: "Even if there is political will from both sides, the main issues related to the Ukrainian conflict cannot be resolved easily. There are legal and technical difficulties that make it unlikely to reach an agreement at this time."

He also noted that "Russia will fully adhere to any peace agreements regarding Ukraine once they are reached," emphasizing that Ukraine's security issues cannot be dealt with in isolation from Russia's security.

Later in the week, the Kremlin accused European countries of trying to "hinder" reaching a solution to the Ukrainian conflict, following an international meeting that brought together Ukraine's European allies to discuss the security guarantees that Kyiv could offer in any peace agreement with Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Ukraine's security guarantees cannot be through foreign military forces.

Moreover, leaders of the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine held a meeting in Paris on Thursday, September 4, where they exchanged ideas about future security guarantees for Ukraine within the framework of any peace agreement with Moscow.

The meeting included several major European countries, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump, who participated via video link.

In this context, Ukrainian President Zelensky met in Paris with U.S. President's special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss further aspects of Western support for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.

The Russian-Ukrainian war continues due to its significant repercussions on the international stage, while the crisis remains open without real signs of an imminent diplomatic settlement.