Zelensky: Trump team seeks venue for direct talks with Putin

Washington initiates search for venue for leaders' meeting

Ukrainian authorities have noted active efforts by the US administration to organise direct contact between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian dictator Volodymyr Putin. The head of state made this statement while speaking with journalists, emphasising that the American side is already working on this process and has proposals.

«США працюють над зустріччю (Зеленського та Путіна, - ред.), у них є пропозиції» (The US is working on the meeting (of Zelensky and Putin, - ed.), they have proposals), Zelensky emphasised.

Geographical options for diplomatic dialogue

According to the Ukrainian president, Middle Eastern countries are among the options considered for holding the negotiations. Specifically, Donald Trump's team voiced ideas for holding the meeting in the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia.

It is also quite likely that the dialogue will take place on US territory during the "Group of Twenty" (G20) meeting. However, at this point, neither Washington nor Moscow has officially confirmed this option.

«Ця зустріч може бути в одній з європейських країн. Я знаю, що європейці починають контактувати з приводу цього. Подивимось на результат трішки пізніше» (This meeting could be in one of the European countries. I know that Europeans are starting to contact regarding this. We will see the result a little later), Zelensky added.

Positions of the parties on the format and location of the meeting

The President of Ukraine has repeatedly initiated negotiations in a face-to-face format, convinced that such a meeting would genuinely help bring the war closer to an end. Zelensky has emphasised his readiness to fly to any neutral country to conduct the dialogue.

At the same time, Volodymyr Putin has rejected all of Kyiv's proposals regarding neutral territories. The head of the Kremlin insists that a meeting with Zelensky is possible exclusively in Moscow.

History of personal contacts between the leaders

Volodymyr Zelensky and Volodymyr Putin met in person only once — on 9 December 2019 in Paris. This event took place against the backdrop of a summit in the Norman format with the participation of the leaders of France and Germany. After the conclusion of the multilateral negotiations, Putin and Zelensky held a separate bilateral meeting, during which they discussed, among other things, the issue of resolving the conflict in the Donbas.