Kremlin Says No G7 Invitation Reached Putin, Again Invites Zelensky to Moscow

The Kremlin on Tuesday denied receiving any formal invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there had been no official request sent through any recognized channels, adding that no structured communication exists between Moscow and Kyiv.

“As you know, there are no official channels between Moscow and Kyiv,” Peskov said.

He also reiterated Moscow’s position that Putin has already outlined conditions for dialogue and suggested Zelensky could “come to Moscow” if he is ready for “serious” talks.

But speaking remotely to the Reuters NEXT conference in London on Tuesday, Zelensky once again rejected the idea of talks in the Russian capital, saying Ukraine “does not play these games.”

Instead, he said any direct meeting with Putin should take place in a neutral country. Zelensky named Switzerland, Turkey, or a country in the Middle East as possible venues.

“At the same time, Putin does not want to end the war,” Zelensky said.

The denial comes a day after Zelensky said he had proposed a meeting with Putin at the G7 summit in France.

A source cited by RBC-Ukraine said the offer was sent through multiple channels, including intermediaries and diplomatic contacts, but Moscow had not responded clearly.

Zelensky has repeatedly pushed for direct talks with Putin, including in an open letter on June 4 calling for a face-to-face meeting to discuss ending the war.

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Ukraine is seeking US approval to manufacture anti-ballistic missile systems and interceptor missiles domestically, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday after meeting Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France. The discussions come as Kyiv looks to strengthen air defenses amid ongoing Russian attacks, with Western partners pledging continued support.

Putin later dismissed the idea of immediate talks, saying at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that such a meeting was “pointless.”

He also claimed Zelensky had previously sought a private meeting through one Russian businessman. As Zelensky later revealed, it was Roman Abramovich.