Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with the Head of the Delegation of OANA News Agencies and representatives of major media agencies in the world. (Photo: VNA)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Zelensky rejected the proposal through Ukraine’s Foreign Minister. However, Peskov noted that a meeting between Russia and Ukraine at a higher or highest level would require a tremendous amount of preparatory work.

He further stated that foreign military forces could not provide security guarantees for Ukraine, and that Russia would not accept such a scenario.

Peskov emphasized that Russia views the presence of the NATO military alliance on its border as a real threat and would do everything possible to ensure national security.

He stressed that Russia would continue its special military operation until there is an opportunity to resolve the conflict through political and diplomatic means.

He reiterated that the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine would not bring any closer a resolution to the conflict.