Kremlin Rules Out an Imminent Meeting Between Putin and Zelenskyy

The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that any meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents requires "good preparation," thereby reducing the likelihood of an imminent meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This statement comes as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to find a resolution to the conflict.

In a brief statement to news agencies, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any "high-level or top-level contact must be well prepared to be effective." He added that senior Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are "in contact," but no official date for negotiations has been set.

Peskov outlined the key points for discussion, noting that "security guarantees are one of the most important topics in the search for a settlement in Ukraine, and they are on the agenda." He emphasized that Russia "insists on resolving the conflict in Ukraine through political and diplomatic means and that Ukraine should reciprocate."

Regarding diplomatic efforts with the United States, Peskov clarified that "the work between Russia and the United States on the Ukrainian issue should be non-public to achieve results." This indicates Moscow's preference for discreet channels away from the media.

When asked about Moscow's view on deploying a European peacekeeping force as part of any future agreement, Peskov expressed a negative stance, stating, "We view this type of discussion negatively."

In conclusion, Peskov stressed that "Putin takes a responsible position," affirming that the Russian armed forces "only strike military and quasi-military targets."