Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to host Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy in Moscow, but only if the meeting serves a “meaningful purpose,” according to statements made during his final press conference in Beijing. The remarks came as Putin concluded a four-day trip to China, his first major foreign visit since 2012, which included participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and a military parade in Tiananmen Square.

Speaking to journalists at the Diaoyutai Residence on Wednesday, Putin emphasized that “meeting for the sake of meetings is a path to nowhere.” He reiterated his openness to discussions with Zelenskiy but framed the conditionality as necessary, citing concerns over the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy. Putin noted that Zelenskiy’s term has expired under Ukraine’s legal framework, with no formal mechanism in place to extend it, suggesting this undermines the validity of any dialogue.

The Russian leader also referenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent call for a Russia-Ukraine meeting during their Alaska summit, stating, “If Zelenskiy is ready, he can come to Moscow, and such a meeting will take place.” However, Putin’s comments underscored skepticism about the practicality of engaging with a leadership perceived as unstable and illegitimate.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s commitment to resolving the conflict through “peaceful means,” highlighting ongoing negotiations in Istanbul that have facilitated prisoner exchanges and repatriation of military remains. Lavrov’s remarks, published in an interview with Indonesia’s Kompas newspaper, framed these efforts as steps toward de-escalation despite persistent tensions.

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