“Zelenskyy reiterated that the best way to find a breakthrough on territory is for Putin to meet him face to face,” the report said.
He specified he has instructed the Ukrainian delegation to suggest such a summit at the ongoing trilateral talks in Geneva.
Zelenskyy also warned that Ukrainians will not accept a peace deal that requires the unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas or outright hands the region to Russia.
The first round of trilateral talks in Geneva concluded Feb. 17 between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. French, UK, and German officials also joined some consultations throughout the day. The meetings are scheduled to resume on Feb. 18.
The last direct communication between Zelenskyy and Putin
was a phone call initiated by Ukraine on July 26, 2020, when they discussed the
war in Donbas. In September 2025, Putin said he was willing to meet Zelenskyy
but insisted Zelenskyy travel to Moscow.