Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to travel to Moscow for peace negotiations. In an interview with ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, Zelenskyy stated, "He can come to Kyiv." He emphasized that he cannot visit Moscow while Ukraine is under constant missile attacks. "I can't go to the capital of this terrorist," he added, asserting that Putin understands his position.

The interview took place at an American-owned manufacturing plant in western Ukraine, which had recently been targeted by a Russian missile strike. Zelenskyy reiterated that Putin is not genuinely interested in meeting with him as the war in Ukraine continues. On Wednesday, Putin claimed he has never opposed a meeting with Zelenskyy, stating, "If Zelenskyy is ready, then let him come to Moscow. This meeting will take place."

Former President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to facilitate a meeting between the two leaders as part of his efforts to broker peace. In August, he stated, "Ultimately, I'm going to put the two of them in a room." Trump previously aimed for a trilateral meeting involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine during his summit with Putin in Alaska last month. He later indicated that a bilateral meeting would occur after Zelenskyy visited the White House.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented this week that it is "clear" a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy will not happen. During the interview, Zelenskyy suggested that Putin's invitation was a tactic to delay discussions. He insisted he is "ready for the meeting" in any format.

Zelenskyy accused Putin of "playing games with the United States." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned on social media that seven countries, including Austria, the Holy See, Switzerland, Türkiye, and three Gulf states, are prepared to host peace talks that Zelenskyy would attend. Zelenskyy concluded, "If a person doesn't want to meet during the war, of course, he can propose something which can't be acceptable by me or by others."