American political influencer Laura Loomer, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, shared her perspective on the prospects for direct contacts between Kyiv and Moscow. According to her, the Russian leader has no desire for peace talks, and a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and the Russian Federation should not take place on Russian territory — a neutral location is necessary for dialogue. Loomer explicitly called the Kremlin's recent statement inviting Zelenskyy to Moscow a provocation and an attempt to put the Ukrainian president at a deliberate disadvantage.
'Why should Zelenskyy go to Moscow?'
Commenting on the recent Kremlin announcement about its readiness to host Zelenskyy in Moscow, Loomer stated that, in her assessment, Putin is 'trying to troll' the Ukrainian leader. 'Last week, when we saw the Kremlin's statement that they invited Zelenskyy to Moscow for meetings... Why should Zelenskyy go to Moscow when the Russians are constantly trying to kill him?' she asked. According to her, such a format looks like an insincere demonstration of readiness for dialogue under the condition that the initiative and venue remain under Moscow's control.
Neutral venues instead of Russian soil
Loomer suggested concrete alternatives: in her view, the negotiations could take place at the White House or at the Mar-a-Lago estate. 'Negotiations should take place neither in Russia nor in Ukraine,' she emphasized, adding that this 'looks like an insincere attempt to say: okay, yes, I'm ready for negotiations, but you have to come to Moscow.' Thus, the influencer insists that the meeting place must be neutral and not create risk or symbolic pressure for either side.
The risk of abduction and a 'suicidal step'
Arguing her position, Loomer gave examples of how, in her view, political opponents are treated in Russia: she mentioned arrests, detention in Siberian camps, and the subsequent poisoning of opposition figures. 'Why would Zelenskyy want to subject himself to the risk of being kidnapped or killed on Russian soil?' she asked, calling a possible trip to Moscow a 'suicidal step.' At the same time, Loomer noted that the Russian leader is 'not stupid,' and therefore, following her logic, an invitation to Moscow is difficult to explain as a genuine intention to reach an agreement.
Connection with Donald Trump's rhetoric
In the same context, Loomer previously suggested that US President Donald Trump's harsh rhetoric toward Zelenskyy might be linked to the Ukrainian leader's criticism of a certain agreement. Furthermore, according to her, Trump is disappointed by the lack of noticeable progress in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. The influencer presented these assessments as a possible explanation for the hardening tone in the American president's public statements.
