Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a speech at the Reuters Next summit held on June 16, 2026, on the sidelines of the G7 leaders' meeting in France, categorically rejected the Kremlin's proposal to hold a meeting in Moscow. 'I will not go to meet with Putin in Moscow — I don't play these games,' the Ukrainian leader stated, commenting on remarks by Russian President's press secretary Dmitry Peskov.
Refusal to Visit Moscow: 'Games' vs. Diplomacy
Zelensky called Peskov's suggestion that he 'can always come to Moscow, where he will be welcomed' an attempt at manipulation. According to the Ukrainian president, the format of negotiations must be exclusively neutral. He listed possible venues: Turkey, Switzerland, or countries in the Middle East. At the same time, Zelensky emphasized that Russia has not yet demonstrated readiness to end the war.
Putin's Position: A Missed Opportunity for De-escalation
According to Zelensky, earlier in June he sent an open letter to Vladimir Putin proposing a personal meeting and a temporary ceasefire for the duration of negotiations. However, the Kremlin did not take advantage of this opportunity at the G7 summit. The Ukrainian president interpreted this as a demonstration of the Russian side's unwillingness to end the conflict.
Warning About Winter: Response to Energy Sector Strikes
Zelensky reminded that Ukraine endured an extremely harsh winter due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. In response, he warned that thanks to the development of Ukrainian long-range capabilities, the coming winter period for Russia itself 'will also not be easy.' This statement served as a direct signal of Kyiv's readiness for symmetrical actions.
Mood in Russia: 60% Want to Stop the War
Citing data from Ukrainian and partner intelligence services, Zelensky stated that the continuation of hostilities and colossal losses are putting pressure on Russian society. According to him, more than 60% of Russians already want to stop the war, but Putin continues to block steps towards peace. This assertion became one of the key moments of the Ukrainian leader's speech.
G7 Support: Unanimous Recognition of Ukraine's Position
Zelensky added that the G7 countries unanimously supported Ukraine's position, recognizing its readiness for real diplomacy from a position of strength. This became an important signal of international support for Kyiv amidst the ongoing conflict.