In response to queries, Putin indicates a readiness to confer with Zelensky at any location

In response to queries, Putin indicates a readiness to confer with Zelensky at any location - as declared by Fico.

In a series of meetings and statements, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been at the forefront of efforts to facilitate a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On September 5, Fico met with Zelensky in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, and with Putin in China. The suggestion of Budapest as a potential meeting place for the two leaders was made, as it was the proposed location for a preliminary summit with former US President Donald Trump and a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky was considered possible.

Fico has been vocal about the need for dialogue between the two leaders, stating that despite potential political damage, a meeting is necessary to discuss the ongoing conflict. He believes that if Zelensky and Putin do not meet, the war will continue. This sentiment was echoed by Fico following his meeting with Putin in China.

Putin, in turn, proposed holding talks with Zelensky in Moscow, following his visit to China on September 3. He assured that the Ukrainian side would be provided with "absolutely safe" working conditions in Moscow. However, Zelensky, according to Fico, indicated his readiness to meet with Putin, not just in Moscow.

In response to Putin's invitation, Zelensky stated that if someone doesn't want the meeting to happen, they should invite him to Moscow. Later, Zelensky invited Putin to talks in Kyiv in an interview with ABC News.

Fico has consistently reiterated the need to normalize relations with Moscow. He believes that after the war, international cooperation with Russia should resume as soon as possible. Zelensky, in his invitation to Putin, also expressed a desire for better relations with Russia.

The ongoing efforts to facilitate a conversation between Putin and Zelensky highlight the importance of dialogue in resolving international conflicts. As the two leaders continue to express a willingness to meet, the hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains.