The Kremlin has not received an official offer to meet between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the Vatican. This was announced on April 28 by the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov.
“President Zelenskiy said that this could be the perfect meeting place. Of course, neither the Vatican, if we understand correctly, nor the Russian side is officially aware of this so far. We have not yet received any official information that such a proposal has been concretized and formulated, “Peskov said at a briefing.
Earlier that day, Zelenskiy said the Vatican would be the best place to meet with Putin. The Ukrainian leader stressed that the meeting place of the presidents should inspire confidence on both sides, and a mediator with such authority has the opportunity to provide that confidence “which is lacking in attempts to reach an agreement between Ukraine and Russia.” In addition, Zelensky said that the meeting will definitely take place.
At the same time, on the eve of Peskov, noted that there are no specific agreements on negotiations between the President of Russia and Ukraine.
On April 20, the Ukrainian leader offered to meet with Putin “anywhere” in Donbass. According to him, the different views of Kiev and Moscow on the past and the future can be viewed not as a problem, but as an opportunity.
The Russian leader said in response that the primary tasks of the Ukrainian leadership should be meetings with the leadership of the DPR and LPR in Donbass. At the same time, he noted that he was ready to receive the President of Ukraine in Moscow to discuss bilateral relations. In Kiev, a meeting between Zelensky and Putin in Moscow was considered impossible.