Thelma Osatohanmwen
The Kremlin has given a cautious response to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky’s suggestion of inviting Russia to a future peace summit, expressing a need for clarity on Kyiv’s intentions before committing to any talks.
Zelensky’s remarks marked a shift from his previous stance, as he had previously excluded Moscow from a summit in Switzerland last month.
The summit, held in a Swiss mountainside resort on June 15-16, gathered leaders and officials from over 90 countries but was heavily criticised by Russia for excluding its participation. The Kremlin labelled the event as “absurd” due to the lack of Russian involvement.
“The first peace summit was not a peace summit at all. So perhaps it is necessary first to understand what he means,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Zvezda television, responding to Zelensky’s recent comments.
The Ukrainian president’s change in tone comes amid significant losses on the front lines for Ukrainian forces and growing uncertainties regarding the United States’ stance as it approaches its presidential elections. The election results could drastically alter the dynamics of the conflict, particularly if former President Donald Trump, who has hinted at quickly ending the war, secures a victory.
Washington has expressed support for Ukraine’s decision to invite Russia to a second summit but remains skeptical about Moscow’s readiness for genuine diplomacy. “When they want to invite Russia to that summit, of course, that is something we support,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists on Monday. “We’ve always supported diplomacy when Ukraine is ready, but it has never been clear that the Kremlin is ready for actual diplomacy.”
Before the previous summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin had indicated a willingness to engage in talks, contingent on Kyiv surrendering territories claimed by Moscow. Zelensky condemned these demands as reminiscent of the territorial ultimatums issued by Adolf Hitler, a sentiment echoed by Ukraine’s Western allies, including the United States.
Despite the potential shift in US foreign policy with the upcoming elections, Zelensky expressed confidence in continued American support. He downplayed concerns over a possible Trump victory, stating he was “not worried” and still counting on the backing of the United States, Ukraine’s largest financial and military supporter.