Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has commented on the statement by the Russian leadership regarding their readiness to host President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow for negotiations with Vladimir Putin. According to the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, such an invitation “should not be taken seriously.” He made this remark in an interview referenced by the Helsingin Sanomat publication, as reported by RBC-Ukraine.
“New Quality” of Negotiations and the Territorial Issue
Sybiha emphasized that a direct meeting at the level of heads of state is precisely what can “give negotiations a new quality.” He noted that Zelensky is ready to discuss the “most complex and delicate” issues, including the territorial one. At the same time, the minister stressed that the location of such a meeting is a matter of principle for Kyiv: “We don't care. The main thing is that it is not Moscow or Belarus,” he stated.
Confidence-Building Steps: Prisoner Exchange and Return of Children
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also pointed out that a high-level meeting could lead to concrete steps to strengthen trust between the parties. As examples, he named the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of children who, according to him, are being held in the occupied territories. Sybiha linked these measures to the need to create an atmosphere in which further negotiations could be conducted on a more constructive basis.
Context: The Mediation Role of Finland and Norway
Earlier, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre informed Vladimir Putin that Zelensky is interested in holding direct negotiations. On October 27, 2026, Stubb and Støre held a telephone conversation with the Russian leader, during which the parties discussed the progress of the war and possible ways to end it. Within the framework of this contact, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov conveyed that Zelensky could come to Moscow, where he “will be provided with all conditions, including from a security perspective.”
Moscow’s Position on Donbas
During the same telephone conversation on October 27, Putin told Stubb and Støre that Russia will continue its attempts to establish control over the entire Donbas. This statement came against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities on the eastern front and became one of the key discussion points within the framework of the Scandinavian leaders' mediation contacts with the Russian leadership.
Thus, disagreements persist regarding the format and venue of potential negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow: the Russian side proposes Moscow as the meeting place, while the Ukrainian side rejects this option and insists on neutral territory. The question of whether an agreement on the format can be reached remains open.
