Zelensky wants to hold talks with Putin in Jerusalem

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested Jerusalem as a possible location for negotiations between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war.

"It is not constructive that we meet today in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus, these are not the places where we can reach an understanding to end the war," Zelensky told reporters on Saturday.

Zelensky added: "And if I am asked if I think that Israel can be a suitable country for this, especially the city of Jerusalem? I say: Yes."

Both Zelensky and Putin recently called Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who in turn met the Kremlin chief in person in Moscow a week ago.

So far, delegations from Russia and Ukraine have met three times for negotiations in Belarus, and the two countries' foreign ministers met last Thursday in Antalya, Turkey.

In principle, the Kremlin has not ruled out a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday: "But first of all, delegations and ministers must do their part to ensure that the heads of state do not meet for the sake of the process or for the sake of discussion, but for the sake of announcing the result."

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