Putin seeks one-on-one meeting with Zelenskiy

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s initial proposal for a broader format, U.S. and European officials said on Tuesday.

Monica Crowley, chief of protocol at the U.S. State Department, told Fox News the bilateral talks could take place “within the next two weeks,” without specifying the venue.

According to Politico, Trump had pushed for a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelenskiy, but Moscow insisted on direct negotiations between the two leaders. The U.S. president has tasked his envoy Whitcoff with preparing the talks.

European diplomats said several venues are under discussion. French President Emmanuel Macron backed Geneva, while U.S. and Ukrainian officials favour Rome. Hungary has also been mentioned as an option.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said his country would be ready to host the meeting and grant Putin immunity from arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant, provided the visit is for peace talks.

Zelenskiy has rejected an invitation from Putin to hold talks in Moscow, AFP reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.