Zelenskyy-Putin peace talks are back in focus after former Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Iuliia Mendel urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Mendel believes Zelenskyy’s past professional connections in Russia could help open the door to negotiations. She also argues that direct dialogue and compromise are necessary to end the war.
Her comments come as diplomatic efforts continue to explore a possible settlement. However, major disagreements over territory, security guarantees, and a lasting ceasefire remain unresolved.
Why Iuliia Mendel Wants Zelenskyy to Meet Putin
Iuliia Mendel served as Zelenskyy’s spokesperson from 2019 to 2021. In an interview with Fox News Digital, she argued that the Ukrainian president should consider using his former connections in Moscow to pursue peace.
Before entering politics, Zelenskyy built a successful career in entertainment. He worked as a comedian, actor, screenwriter, and television producer. His performances and films also attracted audiences in Russia.
According to Mendel, this professional background could give Zelenskyy useful contacts. She believes a meeting with Putin could create an opportunity to discuss possible compromises.
However, her proposal remains an opinion. There is no guarantee that Zelenskyy’s former entertainment connections would help secure an agreement with the Russian government.
Zelenskyy’s Career in Russia Before Politics
Zelenskyy’s entertainment career began long before his entry into Ukrainian politics.
He became widely known through the comedy group Kvartal 95 and appeared in television shows and films popular across Russian-speaking markets. Some of his projects also reached audiences in Russia.
His professional links to the country later became part of the debate about his relationship with Moscow.
In 2019, Zelenskyy won Ukraine’s presidential runoff with approximately 73% of the vote. He campaigned on promises that included fighting corruption and seeking peace in eastern Ukraine.
Nevertheless, relations between the two countries continued to deteriorate. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Since then, the war has become a defining challenge for Zelenskyy’s government.
Why a Moscow Meeting Could Be Difficult
Although Mendel supports direct negotiations, arranging a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin would face significant political and security challenges.
In 2025, Putin offered to host Zelenskyy in Moscow. Zelenskyy rejected the invitation while Russian attacks on Ukraine continued. He suggested that Putin could instead travel to Kyiv.
The disagreement highlights the lack of trust between the two leaders.
For Ukraine, a visit to Moscow during the war would carry serious political and security implications. Furthermore, agreeing to a meeting would not necessarily mean accepting Russia’s demands.
Both sides would need to address the conditions for negotiations before a face-to-face meeting could produce meaningful results.
Territory Remains a Major Obstacle to Peace
Territorial disputes remain one of the biggest barriers to Zelenskyy and Putin’s peace talks.
Russia has demanded territorial concessions from Ukraine, including areas that Russian forces do not fully control. Kyiv, however, has rejected surrendering its sovereign territory.
Ukraine has also emphasised the need for reliable security guarantees. Its government wants protections that could help prevent another Russian attack after any ceasefire or peace agreement.
These differences complicate efforts to reach a settlement.
A lasting agreement would need to address several questions:
- Where would the fighting stop?
- How would both sides monitor and enforce a ceasefire?
- What security guarantees would Ukraine receive?
- How would territorial disputes be handled?
- What measures would prevent the war from restarting?
Until negotiators make progress on these issues, a meeting between the presidents may have limited practical impact.
What Role Could the United States Play?
The United States remains an important participant in diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been involved in efforts to encourage negotiations, according to reporting by Fox News Digital.
Mendel has praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring the two sides closer to a settlement. She believes a strong third party could help overcome the diplomatic deadlock.
However, US involvement alone cannot guarantee a peace deal. Ukraine and Russia would still need to agree on the terms and demonstrate a willingness to follow them.
International partners may also play a role in supporting security arrangements and monitoring any future ceasefire.
Mendel Criticises Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Strategy
Mendel’s comments also include criticism of Zelenskyy’s approach to diplomacy.
She argues that the Ukrainian president has taken an increasingly confrontational position toward Putin. She also criticised the influence of Zelenskyy’s long-time associate Andriy Yermak on his diplomatic strategy.
In Mendel’s view, greater flexibility could help create opportunities for negotiations.
However, calls for compromise raise difficult questions for Ukraine. Any concessions must be weighed against the country’s sovereignty, security, and the interests of its citizens.
Ending the fighting could reduce further suffering. At the same time, an agreement without effective safeguards might leave Ukraine vulnerable to renewed aggression.
Therefore, the challenge is to find terms that can deliver peace without undermining the country’s long-term security.
Will Zelenskyy and Putin Hold Peace Talks?
For now, Mendel’s call for a meeting in Moscow should not be treated as confirmation that Zelenskyy plans to travel to Russia.
The proposal highlights a continuing debate about how Ukraine can pursue peace while defending its independence.
Further diplomatic discussions could help establish common ground. Nevertheless, progress will depend on the parties’ positions on territory, security guarantees, and the enforcement of a ceasefire.
A direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin could become significant if it leads to concrete negotiations. Yet the meeting itself would not resolve the conflict.
Ultimately, the success of Zelenskyy Putin peace talks would depend on whether both governments can reach an agreement that ends the fighting and provides a credible foundation for lasting peace.
