Putin open to phone call with Zelensky, Ukraine suspects Kremlin trap.
The Kremlin is seeking to avoid a face-to-face meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin by suggesting they speak on the phone instead, the Kyiv Independent has learned.
The apparent move comes as Kiev insists the two leaders should meet in person to address the most pressing issues in the negotiations, including Russia's territorial demands and security guarantees. Such a meeting will be their first since 2019.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on October 30 that Putin is "open to dialogue with everyone." When asked if the Russian leader would talk to Zelensky on the phone, Peskov added that "no one has called yet."
Photo: Mandel Negan and Andrew Caballero-Reynauds / AFP via Getty Images.