Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin within the next two days [1] to discuss a cease-fire.
This proposal represents a potential diplomatic pivot aimed at increasing pressure on Russia. By seeking a direct meeting with the support of the U.S. and Europe, Zelensky seeks to leverage international diplomatic momentum to halt the conflict.
Potential venues for the meeting include the G7 summit in a French city or Turkey [2, 3]. Other neutral locations are being considered, though officials have explicitly ruled out Moscow as a possible site [4]. Serhiy Leshchenko, an advisor to the Office of the President, said Zelensky is ready to meet Putin anywhere but not in Moscow [4].
The push for a meeting comes amid continued volatility on the ground. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe and Ukraine want peace, and Moscow continues its ruthless shelling [5].
Not all regional leaders agree on the protocol for such a meeting. Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, said that Zelensky must call Putin if he wants a meeting [6]. This statement was published on May 10, 2026 [6].
Zelensky's objective is to secure a cease-fire while maintaining the backing of Western allies. The proposal seeks to move the conflict toward a negotiated settlement by presenting a clear path to peace, provided the venue remains neutral and the security guarantees are met.
“Zelensky is ready to meet Putin anywhere but not in Moscow”
The proposal for a rapid meeting within a 48-hour window suggests a strategic attempt by Kyiv to seize the diplomatic initiative. By proposing neutral ground like Turkey or a G7 summit, Ukraine aims to frame the conflict's resolution within a multilateral framework, thereby isolating Russia if it refuses to negotiate. However, the friction regarding who must initiate contact indicates that the logistical and symbolic hurdles to a summit remain significant.
