Not Moscow, not Budapest: Zelenskyy names neutral ground for potential Putin talks

Zelenskyy, speaking to reporters, signaled his readiness to engage in direct negotiations with Putin but firmly ruled out Moscow as a venue for such a summit.

“We’ve held discussions in the Oval Office with European leaders, marking the third phase of our meetings, after President Trump’s conversation with Putin. We’ve agreed that a US coordination group, including Rubio, Witkoff, and Vance, will handle preparations for talks with the Russians. We are talking about coordinating our agreements. On our side, we’ve had swift exchanges involving Umerov, Yermak, Witkoff, and Rubio. We want full transparency and close coordination with our American partners,” he said.

"President Trump proposed a bilateral meeting within the next one to two weeks. If that meeting yields results, Trump assured us he’d be willing to join a trilateral format if we deem it necessary. I responded immediately to the idea of a bilateral meeting—we’re ready. But what if the Russians aren’t? European leaders raised this concern. If Russia balks, we expect a strong response from the United States. We’re committed to ending this war, and we’re making that abundantly clear. The next move is Russia’s,” Zelenskyy added.

On the question of where such a meeting could take place, Zelenskyy was unequivocal: it must be on neutral European soil.

“This war is in Ukraine, on the European continent. I said that we agree. Switzerland, Austria — we agree. Türkiye? Türkiye for us is a NATO member and part of Europe, and it is also acceptable. For me, a meeting without preconditions signals Ukraine’s proactive stance. Moscow is off the table. As for Budapest, I think that’s a complicated choice at this moment.”