Ukrainian President Zelensky responds to Russia’s meeting proposal by inviting Putin to Kiev while Kremlin insists talks must occur in Moscow.
Zelensky on Moscow Meeting
On January 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Kremlin’s proposal for a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Zelensky stated this is possible, adding: “I can just as easily meet with Putin in Kiev. I can also invite him to Kiev, let him come. I am publicly inviting him, if of course he dares to come.” He also noted that “if someone doesn’t want to meet but can’t say it outright for some reason, then these invitations to Moscow appear.” Zelensky emphasized that for the Ukrainian side, any real form of a leaders’ meeting would be appropriate and he wants to talk, but reiterated it cannot be in Moscow.
Kremlin Responds to Zelensky
The same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Zelensky’s remarks. In a media interview, he stated: “Zelensky requested a meeting. He initiated it. And in response, Putin said: Yes, we are ready, but only in Moscow.”
Prospects for Trilateral Meeting
Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Volodymyr Zelensky is ready for a meeting with Vladimir Putin. According to Kiev, a conversation is possible if it concerns peace possibilities and contentious issues standing in its way. Sybiha noted that two sensitive issues remain unresolved in the peace process: those concerning territories and future control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. He added that it is precisely to resolve these issues that Zelensky is willing to meet with Putin. This would be a result of trilateral Ukrainian-Russian-American talks in the Emirates – talks that were to continue at the end of the week. However, according to information provided by Zelensky on Friday, the date or place may be changed due to the tense situation with Iran.
Situation in Ukraine
Ukraine was attacked overnight by over 100 Russian drones and at least one rocket. An explosion was heard in Kharkiv in the morning. According to local media reports, the city was attacked by a Russian ballistic missile. Russian strike drones were still in Ukrainian airspace in the early morning. Ukrainian Armed Forces reported Russian machines, among others, in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy oblasts. Several hours before midnight, Russians attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia. Two civilians were injured. Overall, Russian drones struck 15 objects overnight, though it wasn’t specified whether these were energy infrastructure facilities, which Russian strikes have targeted for months causing a deep energy crisis in Ukraine.