VLADIMIR Putin is prepared to meet Ukraine’s President Zelensky, according to a top Kremlin minister, though only after addressing a list of unspecified “issues”.
There has been increasing pressure on Putin to engage in talks with Zelensky following the White House summit, yet this recent update appears to be the usual delaying tactics.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “Our president has repeatedly said that he is ready to meet, including with Mr Zelensky.”
He stated that the meeting would only take place “with the understanding that all matters needing consideration at the highest level are thoroughly addressed, and experts and ministers will provide suitable recommendations.
“And, certainly, with the understanding that when and if – hopefully, when – it comes to signing future agreements, the question of the legitimacy of the person who signs these agreements from the Ukrainian side will be resolved.”
Following the Alaska summit, Trump said he had begun arranging a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
Momentum seemed to build after Zelensky and EU leaders met the President in Washington – during which Trump took a 40-minute call with Putin.
The blueprint is for a head-to-head between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting with Trump.
The leaders have appeared on the brink of meeting in person for months – with the stage all set back in Turkey in May.
