Moscow insists Zelenskyy must travel to Russia for talks with Putin
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected proposals for a presidential meeting in the United States, insisting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must travel to Moscow without a ceasefire during negotiations.
Russian terms for direct presidential talks
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must travel to Moscow if he wants a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking on 12 September 2026 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Lavrov responded to Ukrainian proposals to arrange bilateral discussions on neutral ground. Lavrov referenced earlier statements made on Saturday by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirming that Russia had formally extended an invitation to the Ukrainian president. Lavrov characterized this Russian proposal as an immense gesture of goodwill, arguing that Moscow was offering dialogue despite existing Ukrainian legal restrictions that bar direct negotiations with Putin.
The invitation was sent to this person. If he wants to meet, then let him come.
Refusal of truce during potential dialogue
Lavrov stated that while Moscow remains open to diplomatic negotiations with Kyiv, Russian forces will not halt military operations while talks proceed. The Russian foreign minister emphasized that Zelenskyy has still not revoked his official decree that prohibits contacts with Putin and his negotiating team. Lavrov asserted that the Russian government possesses ample goodwill, while claiming the Ukrainian president lacks positive traits. Zelenskyy categorically rejected the proposal to travel to Moscow, which Putin initially extended several months earlier. Ukraine has repeatedly requested personal meetings between the two leaders on neutral international territory throughout recent years to negotiate an end to the war, but Moscow consistently rejects third-country options and insists that any direct summit take place solely within the Russian capital.
We remain ready for negotiations, but the military operation will not be suspended during negotiations.
Counterproposal for the Miami G20 summit
Zelenskyy stated that he is prepared to travel to the United States for the Group of 20 summit in Miami, scheduled for December 2026, where he is willing to meet Putin if the Russian leader also attends. Russian presidential foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov stated that the Kremlin has not yet discussed whether Putin will make the journey to the United States for the G20 gathering. The prospect of diplomatic engagement follows mediation efforts by United States President Donald Trump, who has pushed for the resumption of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Discussions surrounding potential formats have included proposals for a trilateral meeting among Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump.
- Vladimir Putin offers direct talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow, which Kyiv rejects.
- Dmitry Peskov and Sergey Lavrov state that Zelenskyy must travel to Moscow for talks without a ceasefire.
- Scheduled G20 summit in Miami where Zelenskyy offered to meet Putin if both attend.
Diplomatic context at the New Delhi summit
Lavrov delivered his statements during diplomatic proceedings at the BRICS summit held in New Delhi, India. The BRICS organisation, which presents itself as a geopolitical counterweight to Western international structures, was originally established by its first five members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The alliance later expanded its membership to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Russian state news agencies Tass, Interfax, and Vesti circulated Lavrov's remarks, which reaffirmed Moscow's long-standing conditions for any potential face-to-face dialogue between the Russian and Ukrainian heads of state.
