Putin aide challenges Zelensky amid Ukraine peace talks: ‘Come to Russia if you are ready...'

Russia has renewed its offer for direct peace talks, with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov saying President Vladimir Putin would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to Moscow. Speaking on Russian state television, Ushakov said Moscow would guarantee Zelensky’s security and proper conditions for talks, stressing Russia has “never refused” such contacts if they are well prepared and aimed at concrete results. The comments follow Kyiv’s statement that Zelensky is open to meeting Putin. It marks Moscow’s second invitation in months, after a similar offer in September 2025 that Zelensky rejected, insisting Putin should travel to Kyiv instead.