Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Vladimir Putin’s

, saying he cannot visit the capital of a country launching daily attacks on Ukraine.

Instead, Zelenskyy suggested that the Russian leader come to Kyiv if he is “genuine” about holding discussions.

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Putin ‘IRKS’ Zelensky, Agrees To Meet But Draws New Red Line | ‘Face-to-face Talks Only After…’

“He can come to Kyiv. If a person doesn’t want to meet during the war, of course, he can propose something acceptable to me or others. But I can’t go to Moscow when my country is under attack each day. I can’t go to the capital of this terrorist,” Zelenskyy told ABC News on Friday.

He accused Putin of using the invitation as a “political manoeuvre” to delay dialogue and of “playing games with the United States.”

“And he (Putin) understands it… He is doing it to postpone the meeting.

He is playing games, and he is playing games with the United States,” Zelenskyy said.

The comments come days after Putin expressed openness to a meeting, saying it could take place in Moscow if “well-prepared” and aimed at a “constructive outcome.” Speaking after a visit to China, the Russian president reiterated he had “never ruled out” such talks and even claimed US President Donald Trump had asked him about the possibility.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, dismissed Putin’s proposal as “knowingly unacceptable,” pointing out that at least seven countries — including Austria, the Vatican, Switzerland, Turkiye and three Gulf states — had already offered to host such talks. “These are serious proposals, and President Zelenskyy is ready at any point. Yet Putin continues to mess around by making unacceptable offers. Only increased pressure can force Russia to take the peace process seriously,” Sybiha said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to hold talks in Moscow noting that he is unwillig to travel to the capital of a country that continues to launch daily missile attacks on Ukraine.

While speaking to ABC News, Zelensky further suggested that if Putin truly wants dialogue, he should come to Kyiv instead.

“He can come to Kyiv. If a person doesn’t want to meet during the war, of course, he can propose something which is acceptable to me or the other. It’s understandable; I can’t go to Moscow when my country’s under missiles, under attack, each day. I can’t go to the capital of this terrorist,” Zelensky said.

Accusing Putin of using the invitation as a political manoeuvre to delay dialogue, Ukraine President said, he is was “playing games” with the US.

“And he understands it… He is doing it to postpone the meeting. He is playing games, and he is playing games with the United States,” he added.

The sharp remarks come days after the Russian President expressed his openness to meeting Zelensky, suggesting that such a meeting could take place in Moscow, provided it is well-prepared and aimed at producing a constructive outcome.

Also Read | India flags increased fuel prices for global south amid Ukraine war | 10 points

Putin invites Zelensky to Moscow After his four-day China visit, Putin said he is open to dialogue on the Ukraine conflict, but only within Ukraine’s constitutional framework.

“I’ve already said that I’ve never ruled out such a meeting, but whether this can be meaningful in accordance with the Ukrainian constitution… It is possible; I never rule this out. If the meeting is well-prepared and leads to a positive potential outcome, it is possible. And by the way, Donald (Trump) asked me if it’s possible to have such a meeting, and I said that it is. After all, if Zelenskyy is ready, he can come to Moscow. This is quite possible,” he stated.

Putin also repeated Moscow’s longstanding objection to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, calling it a direct threat to Russian national interests, while showing less resistance to Ukraine’s European Union ambitions.

“We always opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, but we never doubted its right to engage in its economic activities in any way it likes, and that includes EU membership,” he stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rejecting Vladimir Putin’s demand that any talks be held in Moscow, proposed Kiev instead.

“He can come to Kiev,” Zelenskyy told the U.S. broadcaster ABC News in an interview released on Saturday.

The Ukrainian leader said he cannot come to Moscow while his country is under attack from Russia and said Putin is only suggesting Moscow as a delaying tactic.

“I can’t go to Moscow… when my country’s under missiles, under attacks each day. I can’t go to this capital of this terrorist. It’s understandable and he understands it.”

Speaking in English, Zelenskyy said that you can’t trust Putin and that he was “playing games” with the United States.

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly called for a meeting with Putin to negotiate a ceasefire in the Russia’s war against his country, which Putin started in February 2022.

According to Ukrainian sources, at least seven countries have offered to host such a summit. These include Türkiye as well as three Gulf states, which are considered neutral in the conflict.

On Wednesday, Putin said Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if there was a prospect of a positive outcome.

Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok on Friday, Putin also once again however questioned the usefulness of such talks, reiterating his denial of Zelenskyy’s legitimacy.

Zelenskyy had already rejected Moscow as a venue for negotiations on Thursday. “If you want no meeting to take place, then you invite me to Moscow,” he said.

What is Putin’s new pipeline?

Both during his recent trip to Beijing, and during today’s economic forum in Russia, Vladimir Putin has spoken about the planned Power of Siberia 2 (PS-2) gas pipeline.

The project could one day deliver an additional 50 billion cubic metres of gas per year to China via Mongolia, allowing Beijing to hedge against any future reliance on American gas.

While Xi Jinping’s guest of honour, Russian media announced a “breakthrough” agreement was signed on PS-2, but Gazprom have said that pricing is yet to be agreed.

Speaking on Wednesday, Putin claimed there was “no charity” involved in the pipeline agreement – with Russia reliant upon China’s trade to keep its economy afloat. However, he added Moscow would give Beijing gas at a price lower than Europe.

“The growing Chinese economy has needs, and we have the opportunity to supply these raw materials,” he said.

“Everyone is satisfied, everyone is happy with this result, to be honest, and so am I.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has turned down Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer for talks in Moscow, amidst ongoing hostilities between the two nations. Emphasizing the challenges of visiting a country actively attacking his own, Zelenskyy suggested that Putin should come to Kyiv for any meaningful dialogue.

In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy accused Putin of trying to delay actual discussions by making the offer, while also critiquing its theatrical nature aimed at the United States. The comments arrive shortly after Putin expressed his willingness to meet, stressing that the meeting must be purposeful and align with Ukraine’s constitutional framework.

Russia’s resistance to Ukraine joining NATO remains firm, though there’s less opposition to its EU membership plans. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister dismissed Moscow’s proposal, citing seven willing host countries for talks and labeling Putin’s actions as an unserious approach to peace.

(With inputs from agencies.)