Lavrov calls invitation for Zelenskyy to visit Moscow a "huge goodwill gesture"

What Happened

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Russian Vesti news agency, as reported by Interfax, that Russia's invitation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Moscow is a "huge gesture of goodwill". Lavrov said an invitation had been sent to "this individual" and that if Zelenskyy wants to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, he can come. Lavrov also said Zelenskyy "still hasn't cancelled his decree banning contacts with Putin and his team," and claimed Russia remains open to talks with Ukraine but will not halt the war for the duration of such talks. On 12 September, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that if Zelenskyy genuinely wants to meet Putin, he can come to Moscow. Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said the question of a possible Putin trip to the G20 summit had not yet been discussed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The exchange highlights Moscow's refusal to meet on neutral territory and its framing of an invitation to Moscow as a concession, while continuing to condition talks on no ceasefire. It tests whether a direct Putin-Zelenskyy meeting could occur at the December G20 in Miami, and whether Kyiv's ban on contact with the Russian leader remains a formal obstacle.

Watch For

The G20 summit scheduled for December in Miami; whether Putin attends and whether Zelenskyy travels there; whether Kyiv revises or maintains its decree banning contacts with Putin and his team; and any formal Russian or Ukrainian statements on the conditions for direct talks.