Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The spokesperson also said that it would be a “waste of time” to arrange a meeting before the groundwork had been laid.
According to Kremlin-aligned news agency Interfax, Moscow sees no immediate path toward formal peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
“There are currently no preconditions for entering into peace negotiations. However, we, as the Russian side, remain open to peace negotiations,” Peskov said.
He added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could travel directly to the Russian capital if he wants to meet with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, noting that the Kremlin’s position on the matter is “well known”.
“Putin said that Zelensky can come to Moscow if he wants to. He will be provided with security guarantees and he knows very well what decisions must be made,” Peskov said according to the Russian state-run news agency TASS.
Still, Moscow maintains that a top-level summit right now would be premature. Meeting before experts complete preliminary work would be “inappropriate and a waste of time”, according to the spokesman.
Talks in New York
The Kremlin’s stance comes right after high-stakes diplomatic activity in New York. Ukrainska Pravda reported that Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump on 22 September.
During those talks, the Ukrainian leader proposed a narrow energy truce and urged Washington to help organize a trilateral meeting with Russia.
Trump responded with a direct message for Russian President Vladimir Putin: “Settle the war!“
Trump also made it clear that he is ready to use the power of the Graham Act, also known as the “Sanctions from Hell”, to enforce tougher economic sanctions on Moscow if necessary.
When journalists asked Peskov if ceasefire calls were merely rhetoric alongside continuing Western military aid, he replied, “Absolutely.”
Slamming Europe
Peskov also voiced sharp frustration over European defense support for Kyiv, accusing Britain, Germany, and France of actively stoking anti-Russian feelings across the European continent.
For now, both sides remain far apart on key conditions. While Moscow keeps proposing a visit to its capital, official negotiations show little sign of moving forward anytime soon.
