Putin stated when negotiations with Ukraine could take place and expressed willingness to meet with Zelensky, but not at this time

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a new round of negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv could take place after June 22—a date he had already mentioned during a recent phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Putin, he is ready to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but under two conditions.

First, such a meeting could only happen at the final stage of negotiations — “to put an end to the process.”

“It doesn’t matter to us who conducts the talks, even if it’s the current head of the regime. I’m even ready to meet him, but only if it’s a concluding stage—not to sit endlessly and haggle over things, but to put a period at the end,” Putin stated.

Second, “the question is who will sign the documents.” Putin reiterated his earlier claims that the current Ukrainian president is “illegitimate.” He also extended this “illegitimacy” to officials appointed by Zelensky.

According to Putin, “the final agreements must be signed by legitimate authorities, otherwise, you know, the next person who comes along will just throw it all in the trash. That’s not how serious matters should be handled.”

Putin also warned that the situation for Kyiv “will continue to deteriorate” if the war is not resolved diplomatically.

At the same time, he noted that the humanitarian track remains active. Russia has handed over more than 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers and received 57 bodies of Russian servicemen in return. He added that Russia is ready to transfer more than 3,000 additional bodies. In this context, Putin said it makes sense to continue negotiations.

He also confirmed that the Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams remain in contact, with their latest phone call taking place earlier today.