Kazakhstan emerges as neutral ground for landmark Putin-Zelenskyy summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a visit to the U.S., emphasized his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan, as stated in an interview with Fox News.

Responding to a question about a neutral meeting location, Zelenskyy listed several options — including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Austria and Switzerland — and reiterated his openness to such an idea.

«Even if you want somewhere like Kazakhstan. We are ready. That’s it,» he said.

This willingness to consider Kazakhstan follows earlier reports this month that Zelenskyy declined an invitation to meet Putin in Moscow, instead inviting him to Kyiv. During his own visit to China, Putin mentioned the possibility of meeting Zelenskyy in Moscow but questioned both the feasibility and the legitimacy of Zelenskyy.

Kazakhstan’s role as a possible neutral venue aligns with its ongoing efforts to mediate conflicts. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution to the war. The country notably hosted the Astana Process — negotiations initiated in 2017 by Russia, Turkey and Iran to address the war in Syria — hosting more than 20 rounds of talks.