Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed holding a peace summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow, according to three sources familiar with his phone call with US President Donald Trump.

The call took place on Monday, while Trump was in Washington for high-level discussions with Zelenskyy and several European leaders supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.

One source told AFP that “Putin mentioned Moscow” during the call, but Zelenskyy responded with a firm “no.”

European leaders reject proposal

A diplomatic source said European leaders advised Trump that Putin’s suggestion “did not seem like a good idea.” Their message reflected skepticism about the Russian leader’s intentions.

After Monday’s White House summit, which included leaders from Germany, France, Finland, Italy, and the UK, Trump told reporters that a possible next step toward ending the war would be direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy.

Ukraine open to talks but wary of conditions

Zelenskyy has repeatedly said in recent weeks that he is ready to sit down with Putin to seek an end to the invasion, which has already killed tens of thousands and forced millions from their homes.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, quoted by Russian state media, confirmed that Putin told Trump he was open to the “idea” of meeting with the Ukrainian leader.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later added that such a summit would require careful groundwork. “Any meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents would have to be prepared very thoroughly,” he said.

Switzerland signals readiness despite ICC warrant

Switzerland, which previously hosted a global peace summit on Ukraine, said it would grant Putin immunity if he traveled there for talks, despite the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him.

Trump balances diplomacy with skepticism

Just last week, Trump held his first meeting with Putin in years in Alaska, ending the West’s long-standing policy of isolating the Russian leader. However, Trump left that encounter without any assurances of peace from Putin.