Kremlin Dismisses Proposed Four-Nation Summit Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
Turkey's offer for a summit involving Putin, Zelensky, Trump, and Erdogan is contingent on progress in negotiations.
The Kremlin has dismissed a proposed summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted that any such meeting would require 'results' from ongoing negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.
On May 30, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Kiev and suggested hosting a meeting under Erdogan's auspices.
Zelensky had previously expressed interest in a direct meeting with his Russian counterpart and a broader tripartite format but had not received a response from Moscow.
In contrast, the Kremlin has extended an invitation for renewed direct talks with Ukraine, scheduled for Monday in Istanbul, following a previous meeting on May 16 that yielded limited outcomes.
Peskov indicated that while Putin is generally supportive of high-level contacts, he emphasized the importance of achieving meaningful progress in the negotiations first.
During his daily briefing, Peskov stated that a delegation from the Kremlin would be prepared for the upcoming talks, though Ukraine has not yet officially confirmed its participation.
The Ukrainian government is waiting for the Kremlin to send a 'memorandum' outlining its conditions for peace, which Ukraine has characterized as potentially 'unrealistic.' Peskov declined to share this document in advance, maintaining that it would be discussed in the next negotiation cycle.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga, alongside his Turkish counterpart Fidan, stressed the necessity of receiving this document to ensure a 'substantive' meeting.
Sybiga noted Ukraine's interest in continuing dialogue with Russia.
Earlier, Fidan remarked that both sides have expressed a desire for a ceasefire.
He has recently met with Putin in Moscow and is also scheduled to meet with Zelensky in Ukraine.
Turkey, a NATO member, has managed to maintain favorable relations with both Russia and Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022.
Trump has called for an unconditional ceasefire, which is supported by both Ukraine and European allies.
However, Russia has previously rejected this proposal, arguing that a ceasefire would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup.
Putin contends that a ceasefire could only follow negotiations addressing the 'deep-rooted causes' of the conflict, referencing a series of demands from the Kremlin.
These include a demand that Ukraine renounce plans to join NATO and cede five territories claimed by Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have deemed these conditions unacceptable, asserting that Moscow is not genuinely interested in peace or a truce.
On the battlefield, Russia continues to hold an advantage and recently reported the capture of two villages in Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022, remains the most severe military engagement in Europe since World War II, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides.
Trump has voiced his frustration with Moscow in recent days, indicating that Putin is 'playing with fire' while also criticizing Zelensky for not moving swiftly enough toward a resolution.
At the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Acting Deputy Ambassador John Kelley warned that the United States may reconsider its negotiation efforts if Russia continues what he termed a 'catastrophic war.' Ukraine is urging its Western allies, particularly the United States, to impose further sanctions against Russia.
From Singapore, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the decision to sanction Russia should it reject a ceasefire in Ukraine represents a 'credibility test' for Washington.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted that any such meeting would require 'results' from ongoing negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.
On May 30, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Kiev and suggested hosting a meeting under Erdogan's auspices.
Zelensky had previously expressed interest in a direct meeting with his Russian counterpart and a broader tripartite format but had not received a response from Moscow.
In contrast, the Kremlin has extended an invitation for renewed direct talks with Ukraine, scheduled for Monday in Istanbul, following a previous meeting on May 16 that yielded limited outcomes.
Peskov indicated that while Putin is generally supportive of high-level contacts, he emphasized the importance of achieving meaningful progress in the negotiations first.
During his daily briefing, Peskov stated that a delegation from the Kremlin would be prepared for the upcoming talks, though Ukraine has not yet officially confirmed its participation.
The Ukrainian government is waiting for the Kremlin to send a 'memorandum' outlining its conditions for peace, which Ukraine has characterized as potentially 'unrealistic.' Peskov declined to share this document in advance, maintaining that it would be discussed in the next negotiation cycle.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga, alongside his Turkish counterpart Fidan, stressed the necessity of receiving this document to ensure a 'substantive' meeting.
Sybiga noted Ukraine's interest in continuing dialogue with Russia.
Earlier, Fidan remarked that both sides have expressed a desire for a ceasefire.
He has recently met with Putin in Moscow and is also scheduled to meet with Zelensky in Ukraine.
Turkey, a NATO member, has managed to maintain favorable relations with both Russia and Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022.
Trump has called for an unconditional ceasefire, which is supported by both Ukraine and European allies.
However, Russia has previously rejected this proposal, arguing that a ceasefire would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup.
Putin contends that a ceasefire could only follow negotiations addressing the 'deep-rooted causes' of the conflict, referencing a series of demands from the Kremlin.
These include a demand that Ukraine renounce plans to join NATO and cede five territories claimed by Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have deemed these conditions unacceptable, asserting that Moscow is not genuinely interested in peace or a truce.
On the battlefield, Russia continues to hold an advantage and recently reported the capture of two villages in Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022, remains the most severe military engagement in Europe since World War II, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides.
Trump has voiced his frustration with Moscow in recent days, indicating that Putin is 'playing with fire' while also criticizing Zelensky for not moving swiftly enough toward a resolution.
At the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Acting Deputy Ambassador John Kelley warned that the United States may reconsider its negotiation efforts if Russia continues what he termed a 'catastrophic war.' Ukraine is urging its Western allies, particularly the United States, to impose further sanctions against Russia.
From Singapore, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the decision to sanction Russia should it reject a ceasefire in Ukraine represents a 'credibility test' for Washington.
