Speaking to reporters late Thursday, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to pursue peace, but made clear that Moscow must first take concrete steps. “If Russia does not strike our energy infrastructure — generation facilities or any other energy assets — we will not strike theirs,” he said. “We want to end the war and we are ready for de-escalation steps.”
Zelensky’s challenge follows his statement that he would not be able to travel to Moscow to negotiate with Putin. However, he expressed openness to meeting both Putin and former US President Donald Trump for peace talks in any neutral country except Russia. “I can just as well invite him to Kyiv, let him come. I am publicly inviting him, if he dares, of course,” he added.
