Zelensky Rejects Moscow Talks, Calls for Neutral Peace Negotiations at UNGA

During the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Volodymyr Zelensky answered a Russian reporter’s question about visiting Moscow with the blunt reply “On a f**king rocket.” The exchange, captured on video, underscored Kyiv’s refusal to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russian soil. Zelensky reiterated that any leaders’ meeting must occur in a neutral venue and invited Putin publicly to Kyiv instead. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later asserted that Zelensky had not refused the invitation and that Putin was willing to meet if Zelensky traveled to Moscow, offering “the necessary security guarantees.”

Kremlin Says Invitation to Moscow Still Stands After Zelensky Told He’d Get There ‘On a Rocket’ Zelensky Says He Would Visit Moscow ‘On a Rocket’ Zelensky to discuss at UN General Assembly how to achieve peace through joint efforts Kyiv IndependentKyiv Independent

The war that began in February 2022 has seen repeated attempts to broker peace, most recently through trilateral talks involving the United States. Zelensky has previously suggested meetings at the G20 summit in Miami and has named Turkey, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates as possible neutral locations. Russia continues to launch daily missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a severe strike on Zaporizhzhia that injured five people and a drone strike in Lozova that killed a woman.

Zelensky to discuss at UN General Assembly how to achieve peace through joint efforts

• July 28 – Zelensky met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

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• Early September – Zelensky arrived in the United States, preparing for UNGA.

Zelensky Says He Would Visit Moscow ‘On a Rocket’

• September 22-23 – UN General Assembly high-level week; Zelensky addressed the General Debate and participated in a Security Council meeting on Ukraine’s peace and security.

Zelensky to discuss at UN General Assembly how to achieve peace through joint efforts

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will not travel to Moscow, describing such a venue as “unacceptable” because Russia is waging war against Ukraine and Belarus is a partner in that aggression. He proposed that any dialogue occur in a neutral country and highlighted the need for “strong de-escalation steps” to protect Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and food exports.

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Peskov countered that Zelensky had not declined the invitation, noting that Putin had said the Ukrainian president could come to Moscow if he wished and that Russia would provide security guarantees. He also claimed there were “no preconditions” for negotiations to move toward a peaceful settlement.

Kremlin Says Invitation to Moscow Still Stands After Zelensky Told He’d Get There ‘On a Rocket’ Zelensky Says He Would Visit Moscow ‘On a Rocket’ Kyiv IndependentKyiv Independent

U.S. officials, including President Trump, have signaled willingness to discuss a mutual pause in strikes against energy infrastructure.

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• “I invite him publicly, if he dares, of course,” — Volodymyr Zelensky

Zelensky Says He Would Visit Moscow ‘On a Rocket’

• “Zelensky has not refused to come to Moscow. At least, I haven’t heard that,” — Dmitry Peskov

Zelensky Says He Would Visit Moscow ‘On a Rocket’

• The Zaporizhzhia attack damaged a nine-story residential building, a university, a shopping centre and a boiler house, leaving five people injured.

Zelensky to discuss at UN General Assembly how to achieve peace through joint efforts

• A drone strike in Lozova, Kharkiv region, killed one woman and injured three others.

Zelensky to discuss at UN General Assembly how to achieve peace through joint efforts

Peskov’s comments conflict with Zelensky’s recorded response that a visit would only be possible “on a rocket.” Sources differ on whether the invitation remains open or has been effectively rejected, and no independent verification of the Kremlin’s security-guarantee offer is provided.

Kremlin Says Invitation to Moscow Still Stands After Zelensky Told He’d Get There ‘On a Rocket’

Zelensky is slated to meet President Trump to discuss a possible mutual pause in strikes on energy infrastructure and other de-escalation measures. He also indicated readiness to work with international partners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to advance peace proposals. The Kremlin has not specified a timeline for further diplomatic overtures, leaving the venue and conditions for future talks unresolved.

Kyiv Independent