Russia Invites Zelensky to Moscow for Peace Talks, Sets Condition
Russia has formally invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Moscow for peace talks, a senior official announced on Friday. The offer comes with a major precondition: Ukraine must accept Russia’s claimed annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Key Takeaways
- Russia invites Zelensky to Moscow for talks, but demands Ukraine accept annexed territories.
- Ukraine’s consistent position is no talks while Putin is president and demands full Russian withdrawal.
- The offer comes amid ongoing Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine.
The Russian Precondition
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated Moscow is ready for dialogue, but only if Kyiv recognizes the “new territorial realities.” This refers to the four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—which Russia claims to have annexed in 2022. The annexation is widely condemned as illegal.
“We are ready for such a dialogue, but only subject to the recognition of the new territorial realities that have developed as a result of the free expression of the will of the residents of these regions,” Galuzin told the TASS news agency.
He added Russia is open to discussing other issues, but any talks must be based on “equality, mutual respect for interests, and indivisible security.”
Ukraine’s Stance and the Peace Formula
President Zelensky has a clear, repeated position: Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia as long as Vladimir Putin remains president.
The Ukrainian peace formula, presented at international summits, demands the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea annexed in 2014.
Context and Likely Response
The Ukrainian government has not yet responded to this latest statement. Kyiv has previously dismissed similar Russian offers as disingenuous attempts to legitimize military gains on the ground.
The invitation coincides with continued Russian offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow is making slow gains as Western military aid to Ukraine faces delays.
