Vladimir Putin 'ready to meet Zelenskyy', Moscow says as Russia-US peace talks underway

18 February 2025, 09:19 | Updated: 18 February 2025, 12:29

Vladimir Putin is ready to talk to Volodymyr Zelenskyy “if necessary”, the Kremlin said on Tuesday as Russian and US officials met in Saudi Arabia for peace talks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the Russian leader has “repeatedly said he is ready to speak about peace” but stressed that Moscow's “wider security issues” need to be addressed first.

“Putin himself said that he would be ready to negotiate with Zelenskyy if necessary but the legal basis of agreements needs discussion considering the reality that Zelenskyy’s legitimacy can be questioned,” he added.

Russia would not stand in the way of Kyiv joining the European Union, Peskov continued, adding that Ukraine has a 'sovereign right' to join the bloc.

"With regard to Ukraine joining the EU, it is the sovereign right of any country, but it is completely different when it comes to security issues and military alliances. Here we have a different approach that is well known," he said.

Putin is also ready to meet US President Donald Trump, Peskov added. He did not give a date for a potential meeting, stressing it is impossible to give any sense of the talks as they had only just begun.

It comes as the Ukrainian leader was blocked out of peace talks held in at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday. zelenskyy has said his country will not accept any deal negotiated without Ukrainian officials.

Top US diplomats attending the meeting included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was sent to lead Putin's delegation descending on Diriyah Palace, Riyadh. Yuri Ushakov, Russian aide to the president, was also present. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday Putin was serious about negotiating a settlement to end the war in Ukraine.

Ahead of the Saudi Arabia meeting, Peskov said it would be “primarily devoted to restoring the whole complex of Russian-American relations”.

He added discussions will be held “possible negotiations on a Ukrainian resolution, and organising a meeting between the two presidents”.

Read more: Starmer will ensure UK is 'leading country' as European nations step up in support of Ukraine

Read more: Britain must take a ‘leading responsibility’ for peace in Ukraine, says PM as he calls for US ‘security guarantee’

European leaders have also been blocked out of talks, instead convening at the Elysee Palace in Paris late on Monday  for an emergency summit.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stressed that a US security guarantee is the only path to peace, saying a "US backstop" is the "only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again".

He added that Ukraine is "an existential question for Europe as a whole, and therefore vital for Britain's national interests."

He continued: "This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our continent."

Cracks appeared in Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan on Monday night as Europe's leaders clashed over what many saw as a 'premature' pledge to put boots on the ground.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz left the crisis summit early after commenting that he was a "little irritated" at the Prime Minister's "highly inappropriate" comments. Starmer had said troops on the ground were needed to protect Ukraine - with a unified force patrolling the Ukraine-Russia border. 

However, Poland, Spain, and Italy joined Germany in raising doubts over the idea.

Mr Scholz said calls for peacekeeping troops was "premature", adding: "I am even a little irritated by these debates, I want to say that quite frankly.

"The discussion is being held over Ukraine's head, over the outcome of peace talks that have not taken place and to which Ukraine has not said yes...

"This is highly inappropriate, to put it bluntly, and honestly: we don't even know what the outcome will be."

Sir Keir is still expected to press his argument for US security guarantees when he flies to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump next week.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said MPs are likely to get a vote before any deployment of British troops to Ukraine. 

Speaking to The Times on Tuesday, she said it would be "normal, if circumstances allow, for Parliament to be consulted" on military action, but added: "I do think we are some way away from this at the moment."

A statement from Russian Investor Dmitry Rybolovlev's family office said Mr Rybolovlev was not taking part in the US-Russia talks in Riyadh.