The Kremlin has ruled out any meeting until the final stage of peace negotiations is reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for a face‑to‑face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that only a summit between leaders can secure a lasting and meaningful peace.
“A meeting at the level of leaders is needed to truly ensure a lasting peace… Ukraine is ready,” Zelensky said during a press briefing in Kyiv, backing up his proposal for a high‑level meeting in Istanbul .
However, the Kremlin countered his initiative by asserting that top‑level talks are premature, stating they can only take place once an expert‑level draft settlement is achieved .
This stalemate comes amid intensifying diplomatic pressure from the United States. President Donald Trump has pressed for urgent action, threatening sanctions if progress stalls, and floated the possibility of brokering a trilateral summit involving himself, Putin, and Zelensky .
As both Kyiv and Washington ramp up efforts to halt hostilities, Ukraine remains firm that only earnest, leader‑level dialogue—with no compromise on its sovereignty—will pave the way for peace.