Kremlin aide says Putin would answer if Zelenskyy called directly

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Russian President Vladimir Putin would answer if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called him directly, while pointing to Moscow for an in-person meeting.

The remarks came as Ukraine, Russia and the United States continued preparations for possible trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi, with the timing of the meeting and Europe’s potential role still unresolved.

Ushakov leaves the door open to a direct call

Speaking in an interview with Russian state television journalist Pavel Zarubin, Ushakov was asked whether Putin would take a telephone call from the Ukrainian president.

“I think he would answer, of course. Putin has never refused talks.”

Ushakov’s remarks suggested that the Kremlin was not categorically ruling out direct communication between the two leaders. No telephone call has been formally scheduled, however, and neither side has announced an agreed agenda for such contact.

A direct conversation would come amid continuing diplomatic efforts to address Russia’s war against Ukraine. Any discussion between the two leaders would likely involve a possible ceasefire, attacks on energy infrastructure, security guarantees and territorial disputes.

According to DW’s Ukrainian service, Ushakov also maintained that Putin had never rejected direct dialogue with Zelenskyy. The claim represented the Kremlin’s position and was not accompanied by an announcement of a new diplomatic initiative.

Moscow proposed for an in-person meeting

Ushakov said Zelenskyy could travel to Moscow if he wanted to meet Putin face to face. He claimed that the Ukrainian president had sent signals through different channels indicating an interest in direct contact.

According to Ushakov, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre conveyed information about Zelenskyy’s interest during their recent telephone contact with Putin.

Ukraine’s presidential office confirmed that Zelenskyy later spoke with Stubb and Støre following their conversation with the Russian leader. Kyiv said the discussions focused on tangible de-escalation measures, particularly the protection of Ukraine’s energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.

The Ukrainian statement did not confirm that Zelenskyy planned to travel to Moscow. Kyiv has also not publicly accepted the Russian capital as a venue for a leaders’ meeting.

Ukraine has repeatedly said the most difficult issues may ultimately need to be addressed at presidential level. However, Ukrainian officials have also argued that a telephone call alone would not be sufficient to produce binding agreements.

Kremlin favors an initial trilateral format

Ushakov said the first rounds of renewed peace talks should involve representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States.

He argued that Moscow and Washington already maintain working-level contacts and that beginning with a trilateral format would therefore be the most practical approach. European representatives could potentially become involved at a later stage, he added.

Ukraine’s presidential office has separately confirmed preparations for a trilateral meeting involving Ukrainian, American and Russian teams in November. Kyiv has called for the talks to take place as soon as possible but said the timetable also depends on Moscow’s willingness to participate.

No leaders’ summit has been announced. The planned initial meeting is expected to involve negotiating teams or other government representatives rather than Putin, Zelenskyy and the US president.

The United States has played a central role in efforts to revive negotiations, while European governments remain among Ukraine’s largest military and financial supporters.

Europe’s participation remains disputed

Ushakov also addressed reports that Britain, France and Germany could take part in the negotiating process. He said adding European representatives to the opening rounds could complicate discussions by creating a need for further consultations.

The Kremlin aide said the existing arrangement covered only representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United States. He did not exclude European participation at a later stage but argued that the process should begin with the three countries.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered a similar position, saying European states would eventually need to be represented but would first have to change their approach toward Russia.

Peskov accused most European governments and the European Union leadership of continuing to pursue what he described as Russia’s “strategic defeat.”

“It is impossible to talk to them with that approach.”

The allegation reflects the Kremlin’s assessment of European policy. Ukraine maintains that European governments must be involved in discussions concerning security guarantees, defense assistance and any postwar settlement directly affecting the continent.

Several European countries have also argued that no lasting agreement on Ukraine’s security should be reached without the participation of Kyiv and its European partners.

Abu Dhabi date has not been finalized

The next trilateral meeting is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, during November. The parties have not yet announced a final date.

Zelenskyy previously said he hoped the meeting could be held between November 6 and 10. Ushakov, however, said negotiations would take place after November 4 and that the timing would depend on battlefield developments, the broader international situation and diplomatic coordination.

Reuters reported that Moscow had not yet formally proposed a date. Ushakov also cited developments in the Middle East as a factor that could delay the next round.

Russian and American officials have begun discussing possible dates, according to the Kremlin aide. The venue, final participant list and detailed agenda have not been formally confirmed by all three parties.

Earlier Russian statements described the planned talks as preliminary following a lengthy interruption in the negotiating process. Kyiv has urged Moscow not to use regional or military developments as grounds for further delay.

Kyiv calls for concrete de-escalation steps

Ukraine’s presidential office said Zelenskyy’s October 27 conversation with Stubb and Støre focused on the need for concrete measures to reduce tensions around Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure.

Kyiv argues that Moscow must reduce attacks and demonstrate its willingness to negotiate through practical steps. Ukrainian officials have also called for European allies to remain involved in diplomacy, security guarantees and Ukraine’s defense.

The Kremlin continues to favor an initial format led by Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Moscow has suggested that European states could become involved later if their political approach changes.

Ushakov’s statement leaves open the possibility of direct telephone contact between Putin and Zelenskyy, but it does not establish when such a conversation might occur or what conditions would need to be met.

The immediate diplomatic agenda is expected to become clearer once the parties agree on a date for the Abu Dhabi meeting and formally announce their negotiating delegations.

WiseNewsPress.com