Zelenskyy: "I am willing to meet Putin at any time"

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said at a press conference following talks with US President Donald Trump that he is willing to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin and that Trump could help arrange a trilateral meeting.

Source: Zelenskyy at the press conference

Quote: "The most important thing the president [US President Donald Trump – ed.] can do, including regarding the issues I raised earlier today, is arrange a trilateral meeting where the leaders of the countries can discuss all the sensitive issues."

Details: Asked whether this meant he was willing to meet Putin, Zelenskyy replied: "Yes, I am willing to meet Putin at any time. I think we all need to move as quickly as possible [towards ending the war – ed.]."

Zelenskyy also criticised those who speak of ending the war but take no steps towards doing so. "If you say that the war needs to be ended through dialogue, that means you need to meet and talk," he said, stressing that this must happen even if you hate your opponent.

Background:

• This is not the first time Zelenskyy has proposed meeting Putin. In March 2026, the president said Ukraine was serious about peace talks with Russia and that negotiations should take place between the countries' leaders.
• In June, Zelenskyy also said that he had proposed meeting Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin at the G7 summit in France for talks on ending the war, but Russia "was not willing to talk".

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