(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has ruled out meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, insisting any talks take place in a neutral European location. Suggested options include Austria, Türkiye, or Switzerland.

The potential meeting follows recent high-level discussions: Putin met US President Donald Trump in Alaska, who subsequently spoke with Zelensky and EU leaders. Trump said arrangements for a Putin-Zelensky meeting are underway, though the Kremlin has not confirmed any plans. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated Moscow is open to elevating delegation-level talks, but Putin would only meet Zelensky after tangible progress in negotiations.

Zelensky called for US coordination of the talks alongside European involvement. While a three-way summit in Hungary is reportedly being considered, Zelensky dismissed the country due to its efforts to block EU military aid to Ukraine.

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