Putin Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Become Legitimate Targets

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine’s demands regarding the location of a possible summit between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were excessive. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin stressed Moscow’s readiness for dialogue and called the Russian capital the best place for negotiations. Putin Stresses Readiness for a Meeting Putin criticized Kyiv’s contradictory stance, noting that Ukrainian officials had previously ruled out any contact with Moscow but are now proposing talks. He reiterated that the Kremlin is open to high-level negotiations. “If someone truly wants to meet with us, we are ready. The best place for this is the capital of the Russian Federation, the hero city of Moscow,” Putin said. He added that Zelensky would be provided with a 100-percent guarantee of safety should he accept the invitation.