Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that there are currently no official communication channels between Moscow and Kyiv, but said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could come to Moscow at any time if he is willing to hold responsible and serious peace discussions to resolve the conflict in Ukraine [1, 2, 3]. Peskov emphasized that Russia remains open to talks provided Zelenskyy demonstrates a readiness for substantive dialogue [1, 2, 3].
Despite this, no invitation was extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a meeting with Zelenskyy during the recent G7 summit [2, 3]. US President Donald Trump held talks with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the summit, indicating American support for a peace deal with Russia [1]. However, Putin and Trump have not discussed arranging a meeting with Zelenskyy in the United States [3].
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy previously mentioned conversations with Trump about a possible meeting in the US aimed at increasing pressure on Putin, but Moscow has received no formal proposals for such a meeting [3]. Zelenskyy also claimed that Putin rejected offers to meet at any location to negotiate an end to the war, although this claim is considered of medium confidence [3].
Kremlin spokesman Peskov noted that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Russia after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding is signed in Switzerland, though the dates have yet to be set [1, 2]. The US and Iran agreed to the memorandum on June 14, with signing planned for June 19 in Geneva [2]. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin and Trump did not discuss the possibility of a meeting with Zelenskyy in the US, and Moscow did not receive any proposals for such talks [3].
The immediate next step will be the anticipated visit of the US envoys to Russia following the Iran memorandum signing in Geneva on June 19, which could influence diplomatic efforts related to the Ukraine conflict [1, 2].
