Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok that he was ready for contact with Ukraine but questioned whether Kyiv has the political will to reach agreements on key issues, according to Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
Putin claimed Ukraine had previously excluded direct contacts with Russia but now "asks for them." He dismissed peace negotiations in a third country as an "excessive request from Kyiv" and suggested Moscow as the preferred meeting location.
"Ukraine wants a meeting, I'm ready, come, we will provide working conditions and security," Putin said at the forum.
The Russian leader declared that Russia would consider any foreign troops on Ukrainian territory "legitimate targets for destruction." He added that security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia had not been seriously discussed with Moscow at a high level.
Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation said Putin's statements confirmed he rejects peace proposals while using rhetoric about readiness to negotiate as a stalling tactic.
"Putin continues to stall, putting forward deliberately unacceptable demands for negotiations, but almost no longer hides that he does not intend to agree on anything. Sanctions and pressure on Russia must be strengthened," the Center concluded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded that Putin pretends he does not need peace or agreements, but global pressure can shape Russia's interest in ending the war.
Zelenskyy reacted to Putin's Moscow invitation, saying: "If you want there to be no meeting, invite me to Moscow."
Recent diplomatic developments include Donald Trump's 25 August statement that he would observe for two weeks before intervening "very decisively" in potential Zelenskyy-Putin talks. On 4 September, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries would provide peacekeepers or assistance as part of security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump said he plans to speak with Putin soon after his conversation with Zelenskyy, calling Russia's war against Ukraine "the most difficult of everything" for him.
