The former Russian ambassador to Turkey noted the importance of preparing a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

Former Russian Ambassador to Turkey Alexei Yerkhov said that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky should be well prepared and lead to positive results. He said this in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet on September 14.

"Russia has never refused to meet with him (Zelensky. — Ed.), realizing that she must be well prepared and have positive results, otherwise she risks playing a negative role," the ambassador said.

In addition, he stressed that Putin has repeatedly stated his readiness for negotiations. Russia also proposed the creation of three working groups to discuss specific issues of a political, military and humanitarian nature more than a month ago. Ukraine has not provided a response to this proposal, which, according to the diplomat, raises doubts about its readiness for serious negotiations.

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On September 12, US President Donald Trump said that Zelensky "did not agree too quickly" to participate in negotiations to resolve the conflict in the country. He also expressed disappointment over the slow progress in resolving the Ukrainian crisis.

On September 13, Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large for crimes committed by the Kiev regime, said that there was not even a "skeleton" of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to resolve the conflict.

On September 3, Putin called on Zelensky to come to Moscow if he is ready for negotiations. The Russian leader clarified that he had never ruled out the possibility of a meeting with the Ukrainian president, but questioned the expediency of holding it.

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