NextFin news, KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday demanded that Russia decide by Monday whether it will agree to bilateral peace talks, pressing Moscow to commit to negotiations amid ongoing hostilities.
Speaking in Kyiv on Friday, Zelensky set a clear deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to confirm a meeting between the two leaders, emphasizing the urgency of direct dialogue to resolve the conflict that has persisted for nearly four years.
The demand comes after Russia has repeatedly declined to commit to a direct meeting with Zelensky, with Russian officials stating that key issues must first be resolved by senior officials before any summit can take place. Despite this, Russia has continued missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory, including attacks on Kyiv that killed at least 23 people on Thursday.
Zelensky's call for a decision by Monday aligns with a broader push by Kyiv and its allies for legally binding security guarantees akin to NATO commitments, aiming to prevent future aggression. Zelensky has also urged Western leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, to support Ukraine with robust security assurances ratified by their parliaments.
Meanwhile, Russian President Putin traveled to China this week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signaling ongoing diplomatic engagements outside the Ukraine conflict.
The Ukrainian leader's ultimatum was reported by multiple news outlets, including L'Unione Sarda and Il Messaggero, on Friday, August 29, 2025. The deadline corresponds to Monday, September 1, 2025, marking a critical point for potential progress in peace negotiations.
As of Friday, no official confirmation from Moscow regarding the proposed talks has been made, leaving the future of direct negotiations uncertain amid continued military confrontations.
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