Kremlin: Putin Zelenskyy Meeting Must Take Place in Moscow, No New Contact Attempts by Macron or Scholz Noted
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary for the Russian Presidential Administration, known as the Kremlin, emphasized Moscow’s firm position during a recent press briefing. He indicated that discussions across Europe concerning the necessity of dialogue with Russia are gaining traction, a development welcomed by Moscow.
Peskov underscored that President Vladimir Putin’s long-standing view—that any meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must occur in Moscow—remains unchanged and is a clear prerequisite for all parties. He dismissed Zelenskyy’s stated reluctance to travel to Moscow for negotiations, noting that such declarations introduce nothing new to the diplomatic landscape.
The Kremlin spokesperson further disclosed that, as of now, no direct communication attempts have been initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron or German Chancellor Friedrich Merz toward President Putin. Peskov characterized the approach taken by certain European officials who have opted for a complete cessation of contact with Russia as symptomatic of political unawareness and short-sightedness.
Regarding the next round of Ukraine peace negotiations, Peskov confirmed that there is a mutual understanding for the talks to proceed, and this session is anticipated to occur soon, with the Kremlin poised to announce the precise location. This confirmed understanding exists despite the deadlock over the meeting venue between the principals.
In a separate matter concerning the potential supply of Russian oil and petroleum products to Cuba, Peskov stressed that Moscow prioritizes constructive engagement with Washington to resolve the issue through negotiation, expressing no desire to escalate tensions with the United States on this front. He concluded by confirming that Russia is in contact with Cuban officials and is actively reviewing various support options for the Caribbean nation amid its current fuel shortage crisis.
