Polish FM: Direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow preferable to mediated negotiations

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has expressed his view that future peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia should be conducted directly between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, without the involvement of intermediaries. In an interview with CBS News, Sikorski argued that direct talks are more effective, noting that the two sides already communicate over the exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers and prisoners of war. He added that there are issues that international mediators should not press upon them.

Sikorski also stressed that European countries are not neutral in the conflict, stating, "We are on the side of the victim of aggression. And Russia is the aggressor." He acknowledged that progress depends on Putin, saying that if Putin is ready for a ceasefire or peace deal, he can contact Zelenskyy directly.

The last face-to-face meeting between representatives of Russia and Ukraine took place in February in the United Arab Emirates, during trilateral summits mediated by the United States. Earlier, Zelenskyy had proposed meeting Putin at the G7 summit in France, but Russia was not ready to speak. On June 4, Zelenskyy wrote an open letter to Putin proposing a bilateral meeting, emphasizing the need for Europe and the US to be involved. US President Donald Trump expressed support for a bilateral meeting. However, Putin stated he saw no point in meeting Zelenskyy after reading the letter.