FT: Zelenskyy relayed proposal for direct talks to Putin via Abramovich

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used an indirect channel in May to signal his willingness to meet with Vladimir Putin directly, according to a Financial Times report citing sources familiar with the matter.

As part of this effort, Zelenskyy invited sanctioned businessman Roman Abramovich to Kyiv and sought to use him as an intermediary to convey a message to the Kremlin. The Ukrainian leader aimed to persuade Putin to agree to face-to-face negotiations at the level of heads of state.

According to the report, Kyiv’s approach was intended to underscore Ukraine’s seriousness about pursuing direct peace talks. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities рассчитывают that developments on the battlefield — including a potential halt to offensive operations at the front and an increase in strikes deep behind opposing lines — could create stronger incentives for a ceasefire.

By Tamilla Hasanova