Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Invites Putin to Kyiv for Talks!

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Invites Putin to Kyiv for Talks!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan (Editor‑in‑Chief) | Sele Media Africa Journalist

In a dramatic development in the ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kyiv for direct talks, signalling Kyiv’s readiness for high‑level negotiations to end the nearly four‑year war. However, Zelenskyy rejected the idea of travelling to Moscow or Minsk for discussions, deeming such venues unacceptable given the circumstances of Russia’s full‑scale invasion.

Addressing journalists on January 30, 2026, Zelenskyy stated that meeting Putin in Moscow would be “the same as meeting him in Kyiv” and reaffirmed his proposal: “I publicly invite him to Kyiv, let him come… if he decides to, of course.” The Ukrainian leader stressed that Ukraine remains serious about achieving a real end to the war and is open to any constructive format that could help bring about peace.

Zelenskyy also reiterated that Moscow and Belarus are not feasible locations for talks, emphasising that Russia is the aggressor in the conflict and Belarus has acted as a partner in those actions.

The invitation comes amid ongoing Kremlin efforts to position Moscow as the venue for peace negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently countered, stating that President Putin did not personally take the initiative to invite Zelenskyy, though Russia is willing to hold talks — but only in Moscow. This back‑and‑forth highlights the diplomatic impasse between the two presidents.

International mediators, including representatives from the United States and the UAE, have been engaged in efforts to foster diplomatic progress, though significant disagreements remain on core issues such as territorial disputes and security guarantees.

As of now, President Putin has not publicly accepted the invitation to Kyiv, and the prospect of leaders meeting face‑to‑face remains uncertain. The international community continues to monitor developments closely amid hopes for a breakthrough in a war that has caused immense humanitarian and geopolitical upheaval.

Citations:

1. RBC Ukraine – Zelenskyy publicly invites Putin to Kyiv:
   https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/zelenskyy-publicly-invites-putin-to-kyiv-1769763601.html
2. Interfax Ukraine –
   https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1140656.html
3. NV Ukraine:
   https://english.nv.ua/nation/kremlin-denies-putin-invited-zelenskyy-to-moscow-for-talks-50579798.html
4. Reuters –
   https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-says-russia-has-invited-ukraines-zelenskiy-come-moscow-peace-talks-2026-01-29/
5. Sky News –
   https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-peace-plan-us-trump-russia-moscow-abu-dhabi-war-latest-driscoll-12541713

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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