MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin invited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Moscow to have a conversation, not to capitulate, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"He was invited to Moscow to talk, not to capitulate," Peskov told a press briefing on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia.

Zelenskyy said he believed Putin invited him to Moscow to prevent the meeting from taking place.

Putin on Friday repeated his invitation, which was first extended on Wednesday, calling the Russian capital “the best place” for such an encounter.

The settlement of the Ukrainian conflict is progressing, however, it is too early to discuss a timeframe for its completion, Peskov said.

He affirmed that Russia is ready to pursue its objectives regarding Ukraine by peaceful means, but should that path prove unavailable, it will continue its "special military operation."

Commenting on the potential for a new conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, Peskov said no agreement to hold one had been reached yet.

All discussions between the Russian and US presidents, he said, are challenging because each leader staunchly defends his nation's interests. "These are not easy conversations. Each defends the interests of his country. But Putin highly values this. He is grateful to Trump for it," he said.

Peskov said Putin is appreciative of Trump's peace efforts and their generally constructive relationship. Asked directly if Trump is a partner for Russia, Peskov replied: "Trump for us is the President of the United States of America."

Beyond presidential-level communication, Russia and the US maintain contact through various channels, including between the Kremlin and the White House, and between their intelligence agencies, he said.

However, he added, "so far, this has not led to a comprehensive revival of all our ties," a situation he attributed to the severe damage inflicted under the previous US administration, noting that restoration will be a lengthy process.

"The process of bringing our relations out of complete stagnation will take time. There is negative inertia. The damage inflicted on the entire architecture of our bilateral relations was too serious," he said.

Peskov said the two nations have not yet progressed to the point of reinstating cultural and sports exchanges.

Kremlin says North Korean forces are not deployed in Ukraine

Asked about the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, Peskov said there are currently no military personnel from this country present on Ukrainian territory. "They are not deployed there," he said.

In May, the Russian Defense Ministry thanked North Korean military personnel for their role in driving back Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk Oblast, which Ukraine had invaded in early August 2024.

The Russian General Staff announced the complete liberation of the region’s territory from Ukrainian forces in the spring of 2025.

Putin later expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his military for their participation in liberating the oblast. Pyongyang subsequently presented its servicemen with state awards.

During a personal meeting with Kim in China on Wednesday, Putin again thanked him for the assistance.

“On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces took part in the liberation of the Kursk region, in full accordance with our new agreement,” Putin said, lauding North Korean soldiers as having fought “courageously and heroically.”

The strategic treaty between Russia and North Korea, which entered into force last December, includes a clause on military assistance in the event of aggression against either party.

This clause was invoked as a legal basis for the participation of North Korean personnel in military operations in the Kursk region.

While Kyiv reported the capture of two North Korean prisoners in Kursk Oblast in February, it has never confirmed the presence of that country’s military operating on Ukrainian territory.