Additional Countries Open to Hosting Zelensky-Putin Talks Amid Russia’s Negotiation Backpedaling

Several nations are now willing to host negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts continue to facilitate a face-to-face meeting. Top Ukrainian adviser Andriy Yermak revealed that countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, and the Vatican have expressed readiness to host potential talks.

“President Zelensky is prepared to discuss everything, but under equal conditions and in a suitable location,” Yermak stated. He emphasized the importance of demonstrating political will to move negotiations forward, adding that Russia must feel pressure before meaningful progress can be achieved.

Yermak is scheduled to visit New York to participate in a launch event for a Ukrainian telecommunications company and to meet briefly with US envoy Steve Witkoff, who is involved in negotiations regarding peace talks with Russia. While discussions are ongoing, Moscow remains resistant to the idea of NATO peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, with a Kremlin spokesperson affirming that Russia opposes such deployments.

Meanwhile, in a notable development, Putin agreed to the possibility of NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine from the US and Europe, provided certain conditions are met. However, Russia continues to reject the presence of European military personnel in Ukraine, viewing NATO expansion and infrastructure buildup as root causes of the conflict.

Yermak expressed doubts that Russia’s stance would change without increased international pressure. He also noted the US’s readiness to support Ukraine with intelligence and battlefield oversight in any agreed security framework post-war. European and Ukrainian officials indicated that a European-led air defense shield over Ukraine is feasible if the US supervises the peacekeeping efforts, with some European troop deployment contingent on US approval.