Zelensky: Russia Blocking My Meeting with Putin
Zelensky accuses Russia of blocking a meeting with Putin, urges allies to increase sanctions unless Moscow shows readiness for peace. He called for NATO-style security guarantees during a press conference with NATO's Rutte.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday accused Russia of taking every possible measure to prevent him from holding a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while urging allied nations to intensify sanctions on Moscow unless it demonstrates readiness for peace.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Zelensky said the talks focused on security guarantees for Ukraine. He stressed that such guarantees must resemble NATO’s Article 5, under which an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. “These security guarantees should be binding and collective, ensuring Ukraine’s protection against future aggression,” Zelensky stated.
The Ukrainian leader called on his country’s partners to exert greater pressure on Russia to force it to commit to a peace process. “If Moscow continues to show no need for peace, then new sanctions must be imposed,” he emphasized.
Zelensky repeated his claim that Russia is actively working to obstruct direct talks with Putin. “The Russians are doing everything to block my meeting with Putin,” he said, underscoring Kyiv’s readiness for dialogue if Moscow demonstrates sincerity.
Zelensky’s remarks followed his visit to Washington earlier in the week, where U.S. President Donald Trump hosted him at the White House. After that meeting, Zelensky expressed optimism that diplomacy could pave the way to ending the war.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted that no plans have yet been finalized regarding the timing, location, or agenda for a Putin-Zelensky summit. Speaking on August 22 during a televised interview, Lavrov said Moscow remains open to talks but accused Kyiv of rejecting Russia’s essential conditions.
“Russia is ready to reach agreements on some of the issues raised by President Trump, but Zelensky has rejected all of Moscow’s conditions, which we consider necessary for a peace process in Ukraine,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov went further in his criticism, claiming Zelensky had even dismissed the idea of restoring the status of the Russian language in Ukraine. “How can we hold talks with someone who presents himself as a leader while refusing such basic issues?” he remarked.
The sharp contrast between Kyiv’s demands for collective security and Moscow’s insistence on its own terms highlights the deep stalemate in diplomatic efforts. While Zelensky presses for unconditional dialogue and NATO-style guarantees, Lavrov continues to frame Ukraine’s position as obstructive, signaling that a summit remains elusive.
