The Kremlin claims that Vladimir Putin would answer Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone

Russian President Vladimir Putin has never refused to speak with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and would respond if Zelensky called him, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov told the Vesti television channel, as quoted by the TASS news agency.

Asked whether Putin would accept a phone call initiated by Zelensky, Ushakov answered affirmatively. The Russian adviser added that the Ukrainian leader would be welcome in Moscow if he wished to negotiate directly with the Russian president.

The statements came after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Volodymyr Zelensky was ready for direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Kyiv believes that a meeting between the two leaders could unblock the negotiations and allow the most difficult issues of the war to be addressed, particularly the territorial issue.

Sybiha argued that technical delegations can discuss confidence-building measures, prisoner exchanges and the protection of civilians, but decisions concerning sovereignty and borders require the direct involvement of the heads of state. The Ukrainian minister said that Zelensky was ready for such a meeting.