Kremlin Reiterates Moscow Peace Talks Invitation, Zelenskyy Rejects Venue

Kremlin Extends Invitation for Peace Talks in Moscow

The Russian Federation has reiterated its invitation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Moscow for peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. On January 29, 2026, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that Moscow is prepared to ensure President Zelenskyy's security and provide suitable working conditions should he accept the offer. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov further emphasized that Russia is exclusively considering Moscow as the venue for such discussions.

Zelenskyy Rejects Moscow, Proposes Kyiv as Alternative

In response to the Kremlin's renewed invitation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly rejected the proposal to meet in Moscow on January 30, 2026. He characterized such a meeting as 'impossible' and countered with an invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Kyiv instead. 'I can just as well invite him to Kyiv, let him come. I'm openly inviting him, if he dares,' Zelenskyy stated during a briefing with journalists. He also ruled out Belarus as a potential location for talks, citing its close ties to the Kremlin. President Zelenskyy expressed his readiness for a meeting in a more appropriate format, outside of Russia or Belarus.

U.S.-Led Diplomatic Efforts Continue Amidst Disagreements

The exchange of invitations occurs amidst intensifying U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Trilateral peace talks involving officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States were held in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, 2026. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described these discussions as 'very constructive.' A subsequent round of talks was tentatively scheduled for February 1 in Abu Dhabi, though President Zelenskyy indicated that the date and location might be subject to change due due to the 'situation with the U.S. and Iran.'

Key disagreements persist, particularly concerning territorial issues. While Ukraine had previously shown openness to discussing territorial questions and the future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, President Zelenskyy highlighted that no compromise has been reached on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, specifically regarding the Donetsk region. Ukraine aims to preserve its sovereignty, viewing Russia's demands for concessions as unacceptable.

Temporary Ceasefire and Energy Infrastructure

Adding another layer to the diplomatic landscape, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on January 29, 2026, that he had 'personally asked' Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week, a request to which Putin reportedly agreed. President Zelenskyy acknowledged this initiative, indicating that if Russia ceased attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Kyiv would reciprocate. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified that this pause was specifically for Kyiv and was set to conclude on Sunday, January 31, 2026.