Russia invites Zelenskyy to Moscow for potential talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has characterized an official invitation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Moscow as a ‘huge gesture of goodwill.’ Lavrov stated that if Zelenskyy wishes to meet, he is welcome, noting that the invitation has already been extended.

Addressing Zelenskyy’s previous suggestion for a meeting with Vladimir Putin in the United States, Lavrov indicated that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had already addressed the matter by extending the invitation to Moscow. Lavrov remarked that while Russia remains open to negotiations, Zelenskyy has not yet rescinded his decree prohibiting contact with Putin and his administration.

Russia has maintained that it is open to negotiations but specified that the ‘special military operation’ will continue throughout any such discussions. Historically, Ukraine has proposed meetings on neutral ground to discuss ending the war, a proposal Russia has systematically rejected in favor of meetings in Moscow or at an official level.