World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Lavrov says Zelensky must travel to Moscow to meet Putin
Sergei Lavrov said Volodymyr Zelensky must travel to Moscow if he wants to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lavrov made the statement in Atlanta after the first day of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.
Putin would guarantee Zelensky’s safety, Lavrov said.
He added that Putin remained willing to meet Zelensky despite events during the Ukrainian president’s time in office.
The offer sets Moscow as the proposed location for a direct meeting between the leaders.
Russia and the United States are also coordinating a date for a three-way meeting on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, planned for November.
No date for that meeting was given.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lavrov said Putin would provide Zelensky with security guarantees in Moscow.
Lavrov said Putin had stated he was ready to meet Zelensky despite events during the Ukrainian leader’s presidency.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Putin had never refused to speak with Zelensky and would answer a phone call.
Ushakov also said Zelensky was free to come to Moscow for talks.
- Who
- Sergey Lavrov said Zelensky should meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- What
- Lavrov said Zelensky must travel to Moscow for an in-person meeting, with security guarantees provided.
- When
- Lavrov made the remarks on October 30, 2026. Ushakov’s comments were reported on November 1.
- Where
- Lavrov spoke in Atlanta after the first day of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting. The proposed meeting would be in Moscow.
- Why
- Lavrov said the remarks followed Zelensky’s call for a direct meeting with Putin.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelensky could come to Moscow for talks and would receive security guarantees.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Zelensky could still come to Moscow for direct talks with Putin.
Lavrov said Zelensky must travel to Moscow to meet Putin and that Russia would ensure his safety.
Ushakov said Putin had never refused to speak with Zelensky and that Zelensky was free to come to Moscow.
- Proposed meeting place
- Moscow
- Russian foreign minister
- Sergey Lavrov
- Kremlin aide
- Yury Ushakov
- Lavrov’s remarks
- October 30, 2026
- Ushakov report
- November 1, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
if Zelensky wants to meet, let him come to Moscow, we will ensure his safety
I think he would answer, of course. Putin has never refused to talk.
If he really wants to negotiate, he is free to come [to Moscow]