A conversation between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will not happen suddenly “like thunder from a clear sky,” but if Moscow’s signals about dialogue are genuine, Kyiv “would also be ready,” Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov said during a visit to Lithuania, according to LRT.

Responding to reporters’ questions about the possibility of talks between Zelenskyy and Putin, Budanov joked that interstate telephone lines between countries at war had been disconnected and that “such calls are not made by mobile phone.”

“Speaking seriously, if Russia is truly ready for a serious conversation, Ukraine would also be ready. Ukraine has repeatedly emphasized and demonstrated through its actions that we support ending the war and achieving peace. This is the official position of Ukraine, supported by the president of Ukraine,” Budanov said.

“We support ending hostilities. I want to repeat once again: making peace is not weakness, but proof of common sense,” he added.

Budanov also said the situation on the front line remains stable, as does the Russian regime, but stressed that “nothing in this world lasts forever.”

On May 9, Putin said he was prepared to meet Zelenskyy only to sign an agreement, adding that such a meeting could take place in a third country.

The same day, Putin aide Yury Ushakov claimed the Russian leader was ready to meet Zelenskyy in Moscow.

Following those remarks, Presidential Office adviser Serhii Leshchenko said during Ukraine’s national telethon broadcast that Zelenskyy was ready to meet Putin anywhere except Moscow.

“Because Moscow is the capital of the aggressor state. Such a format of negotiations is impossible,” Leshchenko said.

On May 10, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said after visiting Moscow that Zelenskyy should personally call Putin if he is interested in negotiations to end the war.

The same day, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had pushed the Russian dictator toward readiness for negotiations.

“Now Putin himself says he is finally ready for real meetings — we pushed him a little, and we have long been prepared for meetings. We need to find a format. This war must end — and security must be reliably guaranteed,” Zelenskyy said.

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