Moscow:Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for direct negotiations in Moscow, pledging to provide all necessary security arrangements, a Russian presidential aide disclosed on Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Yuri Ushakov, a presidential aide, revealed that the invitation was extended after Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb informed Putin in a recent phone call that Zelenskyy was interested in holding direct talks with him. Ushakov emphasized that if Zelenskyy is genuinely inclined toward direct negotiations, he should come to Moscow, where his safety would be ensured.

Ushakov further mentioned that the conversation between Store, Stubb, and Putin primarily revolved around resuming trilateral discussions among Russian, Ukrainian, and US representatives in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. He noted that there were numerous inquiries and requests for clarification from their side regarding this matter.

Additionally, Ushakov stated that the issue of European representation in the Ukraine negotiations is currently not being considered. He clarified that the decision on European representation would be made at a later stage. The phone call, which lasted 90 minutes, concluded with an agreement for the parties to reconvene if necessary.