Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday once again rejected a proposal to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, insisting that negotiations should instead take place in Ukraine.

“He can come to Kyiv,” Zelensky told ABC News, laughing and shaking his head when asked about Putin’s invitation. “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.”

The remarks came two days after Putin claimed that he had “never ruled out” direct talks with Zelensky, saying, “If Zelensky is ready, let him come to Moscow.”

A face-to-face meeting between the two leaders would mark a critical step toward exploring a negotiated end to the full-scale war, which has dragged on for more than three and a half years.

On August 15, following his meeting with Putin in Alaska, former U.S. President Donald Trump said he was working to help arrange potential talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. However, the Kremlin quickly dismissed the claim, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressing that a summit was “not ready at all.”

Speaking to U.S. media, Lavrov also repeated Moscow’s line questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s president — rhetoric the Kremlin often employs to sidestep direct negotiations.

Earlier this year, Zelensky indicated willingness to meet Putin on neutral ground, citing Istanbul as a possible venue during Russian-Ukrainian peace talks. Moscow, however, rejected the idea.

Meanwhile, Russia has shown little readiness for compromise. It has consistently refused calls for a ceasefire while advancing maximalist demands, including barring Ukraine from NATO membership and asserting control over the entire Donetsk Oblast, parts of which remain outside Russian occupation.

As diplomatic efforts stall, Moscow has escalated its military campaign, intensifying aerial bombardments against Ukrainian cities and continuing ground offensives in the country’s east. (ILKHA)