Kremlin announces readiness for direct talks, Zelensky invited to Moscow
Russian President’s aide Yuri Ushakov stated that Moscow is reportedly ready to consider direct negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president has been invited to the Russian capital.
This was reported by Russian media.
The statement came on January 28, 2026, amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war and prepare for the next round of trilateral consultations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, scheduled to take place in the UAE.
In an interview, Ushakov confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump, during recent phone contacts with the Kremlin, repeatedly raised the issue of direct contacts between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.
Following a meeting with Zelensky in Davos on January 22, where Trump stated that “the war must end,” the American side reportedly stepped up its mediation efforts.
Earlier reports indicated that Trump’s peace plan is 90% ready, while the remaining 10% involves territorial issues, which remain non-negotiable for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia seeks to demonstrate “constructiveness” while continuing to push its own demands.
“If Zelensky is truly ready… we invite him to Moscow,” Ushakov said.
The Kremlin also emphasized that any potential contact must be “well-prepared,” which usually implies prior agreements between the parties. At the same time, Russian rhetoric continues to describe the conflict as a “crisis.”
The next trilateral meeting of representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. is scheduled for Sunday, February 1.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on the outcomes of previous contacts between the delegations:
“Today we received a full report from our delegation—they returned after the trilateral meetings. For the first time in a long while, the format with the Americans and Russians was resumed. We managed to discuss various issues of a more military nature—steps to end the war and real control, monitoring. There are questions that need to be prepared for the next meeting,” Zelensky emphasized.
According to him, the teams are scheduled to meet again on February 1.
Previously, Zelensky said that, together with the Ukrainian negotiating team, he had identified the main areas that require further elaboration in the U.S.-Ukraine postwar reconstruction agreement.
Recall: Zelensky announced the date of new negotiations with Russia. He also asked in Davos why Maduro is in court while Putin remains free.
