Putin Invites Zelenskyy to Moscow Amid Ukraine Bombings/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Moscow for talks, even as Russian forces bombed Ukraine. President Donald Trump said he will speak with Putin “very shortly” to determine U.S. next steps. Kyiv dismissed the offer as unrealistic, urging peace talks in neutral nations instead.
Ukraine War Talks Quick Looks
- Putin invites Zelenskyy to Moscow for “security talks,” per Russian state media.
- Invitation issued while Russia continues bombing Ukrainian cities.
- Trump says he will speak with Putin in “next few days” to decide U.S. approach.
- Kyiv rejects offer, citing security risks and Putin’s calls to oust Zelenskyy.
- Ukrainian FM Sybiha: “Only increased pressure can force Russia to get serious.”
- Seven nations, including Austria, Vatican City, Turkey, and Gulf states, have offered to host peace talks.
- Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman warns Zelenskyy must not travel to Moscow.
- Putin claims Zelenskyy is “afraid” to meet, denies refusing dialogue.
- European allies remain firmly behind Ukraine, while Trump’s position stays ambiguous.
- Trump warns of “consequences” if no meeting is announced soon.
Putin Invites Zelenskyy to Moscow Amid Ukraine Bombings
Deep Look
MOSCOW/BEIJING/WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Moscow for talks, a dramatic gesture made as Russian forces intensified airstrikes across Ukraine.
Speaking from Beijing, where he attended a military parade alongside China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Putin claimed he never refused direct talks with Ukraine’s leader.
“If Zelenskyy is ready for a meeting, let him come to Moscow,” Putin said, according to Russia’s state-run Tass news agency.
Trump’s Deadline and Ambiguous Stance
The timing of Putin’s invitation coincides with the expiration of a two-week deadline President Donald Trump had given for the Kremlin to engage with Ukraine. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he would speak with Putin “very shortly” to determine next steps.
“I’ll know pretty much what we’re going to be doing,” Trump said. “We’ve taken very strong action, but I’ll be speaking to him over the next few days, and we’re going to see.”
Pressed on whether there would be consequences if no meeting materializes, Trump replied: “Yeah, there will be.”
Ukraine Rejects Moscow Venue
Officials in Kyiv dismissed Putin’s invitation as disingenuous and dangerous. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the proposal as “knowingly unacceptable,” stressing that multiple neutral nations — including Austria, Vatican City, Switzerland, Turkey, and three Gulf states — have already offered to host peace talks.
“These are serious proposals and President Zelenskyy is ready at any point,” Sybiha said. “Yet Putin continues to mess around. Only increased pressure can force Russia to finally get serious about peace.”
Zelenskyy has repeatedly proposed third-party neutral venues for talks, including Turkey, but Putin has never agreed to direct negotiations on those terms.
Analysts Warn of a Trap
Security experts say a Zelenskyy visit to Moscow is implausible. Former CIA Moscow Station Chief Dan Hoffman warned it would be reckless:
“There’s no way that Zelenskyy should be traveling to Moscow. Putin invaded Ukraine. This is about creating the appearance of good faith while driving wedges between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe.”
Putin added conditions to his invitation, saying a meeting would only happen if “well-prepared and leading to positive results.” He also suggested Zelenskyy was “afraid” to meet with him — a claim Kyiv dismissed as propaganda.
European Allies Back Ukraine
While European leaders remain steadfast in supporting Zelenskyy and condemning Russian aggression, Trump’s position remains more ambiguous. Since taking office, he has alternated between backing Ukraine’s sovereignty and seeking personal diplomacy with Putin.
Putin’s maneuver also comes as Russia deepens ties with China and North Korea, a move Trump blasted as evidence of a trilateral conspiracy against the United States.
Conclusion
With Moscow pressing military attacks even as it floats negotiation offers, Kyiv and its allies view Putin’s invitation as a tactic rather than a breakthrough. Trump’s upcoming call with Putin may clarify whether Washington interprets the move as a credible opening or a strategic ploy to buy time while Russia bombards Ukraine.
