Putin agrees to trilateral peace talks, but only if they are held in Moscow.
Headline: PUTIN’S SHOCK ULTIMATUM: “Let Zelenskyy Come to Moscow” for Peace Talks with Trump
15-Word Synopsis: Putin agrees to trilateral peace talks, but only if they are held in Moscow.
In a stunning diplomatic maneuver, Russian President Vladimir Putin has put a major roadblock in the path of a potential peace deal in Ukraine, offering a provocative condition for talks. Speaking in Beijing, Putin announced that he is open to a trilateral peace initiative with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only if the negotiations are held on Russian soil.
The audacious demand comes after months of intense diplomatic efforts by Trump to position himself as the ultimate peacemaker. Trump has held separate, high-stakes meetings with both Putin and Zelenskyy in recent weeks, seeking to revive stalled negotiations. However, progress has been elusive, with neither Moscow nor Kyiv willing to compromise on key issues, particularly the fate of Russian-annexed territories.
Putin’s pronouncement drew an immediate and sharp response from Ukraine. A diplomatic source told AFP that Zelenskyy has already rejected the idea, viewing it as a “trap designed to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga publicly dismissed the offer as a “cynical ploy,” noting that at least seven other countries have made genuine offers to host the talks in a neutral location.
Despite calling the conflict a long and grinding one, Putin made it clear that Russia would not scale back its military offensive unless a peace deal is reached. “If not, then we will have to resolve all our tasks militarily,” he stated, adding a chilling ultimatum. He also took the opportunity to cast doubt on Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as the Ukrainian leader.
The move is seen as a way for Putin to reassert control over the peace process and gain a propaganda victory. By insisting on Moscow as the venue, he is attempting to portray Ukraine as a subordinate entity that must come to him to plead for peace, completely sidestepping the internationally recognized protocols for such high-level diplomatic talks.
