The possibility of a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin is back on the table — but only if certain agreements are reached first.

That’s according to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s official spokesperson, who spoke on May 17 about the next steps in ongoing negotiations.

Russia to Lay Out Ceasefire Conditions for Ukraine

Peskov explained that Russia plans to put together and share a detailed list of conditions for a ceasefire with Ukraine.

This move shows that Russia is setting clear expectations before any potential talks or agreements can move forward. The idea is to create a framework that both sides can work within if they want to see a halt to the conflict.

Who Signs Matters as Much as What’s Signed

One important point Peskov highlighted is that for Russia, it’s not just the content of the agreements that counts — it’s also who signs them.

The identity of the Ukrainian official who would sign any documents is seen as a critical issue by the Russian side.

This means that beyond the ceasefire terms, the political weight and authority of the Ukrainian representative are key factors in moving negotiations ahead.

Next Steps Hinge on Delegations’ Agreements

In summary, while the door is open for Zelensky and Putin to meet, it’s clear that such a meeting depends heavily on what the delegations of both countries agree on beforehand.

Until those conditions are ironed out, official talks between the two presidents remain a possibility rather than a certainty.