Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains open to meeting Putin, but the Kremlin is reportedly blocking negotiations due to reputational risks and propaganda concerns.
ISW: Kremlin Not Willing to Allow Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting
Key Reasons for Kremlin’s Reluctance
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that the Kremlin is unlikely to permit a high-level meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite Trump’s recent push to facilitate it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Putin “would meet Zelenskyy when the summit agenda is ready,” adding that “this agenda is not even prepared.” Analysts suggest the Kremlin fears such a meeting could undermine Putin’s image and the narrative of Russia’s “special operation.” A Russian opposition portal, Verstka, noted that the Kremlin deems a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting improbable in the near future.
A More Courteous Refusal
Lavrov recently accused Zelenskyy of rejecting Moscow’s preliminary negotiation terms, including discussions on territorial issues. Zelenskyy, however, affirmed on August 18 his willingness to meet Putin unconditionally and address territorial disputes directly. ISW’s Moscow analysts clarified that Kremlin chief of staff Yuri Ushakov mentioned elevating the level of negotiating delegations compared to the May 2024 meeting in Turkey, calling it “a more polite refusal.” Critics argue Moscow is balancing its citizens’ expectations of victory in Ukraine against appeasing Western sanctions that could hinder further military actions.
Reuters: Putin’s Three Demands for Ukraine
Reuters reported on Thursday that Putin is demanding Ukraine relinquish all of the eastern Donbas region, abandon NATO aspirations, remain neutral, and reject hosting Western troops. Sources indicated Putin has made concessions on territorial demands, though Kyiv rejected his June 2024 request for Ukraine to cede four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—as equivalent to surrender. Unofficial details from Moscow’s talks with Trump last week included an insistence on full Crimea control, which Russia annexed in 2014 by violating international law.
Zelenskyy After Meeting with South African President
On August 23, Zelenskyy wrote on X: “I confirmed my readiness to meet the Russian president in any format. However, we see Moscow again dragging the issue further. It is crucial that Global South sends signals pushing Russia toward peace.” Zelenskyy met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to explore cooperation, including ensuring food security.
Source: Gazeta, ISW, Reuters, Verstka, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, Donald Trump.
