Ukrainian negotiators received an unexpected Russian invitation in February to continue peace talks in Moscow, where a potential meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin could have taken place, Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov revealed on Friday, Sept. 4.According to The New York Times, the proposal was made as a round of negotiations in Geneva concluded and had not previously been reported.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The Russian delegation suggested that the Ukrainian negotiators fly to Moscow to continue discussions, with the possibility that Putin could join the process.The offer posed significant security risks for the Ukrainian delegation, particularly Budanov, who led the delegation in Geneva. Russia has placed him on a wanted list over terrorism charges brought during his tenure as Ukraine’s military intelligence chief.Despite those risks, Budanov said he had been prepared to consider the proposal if it could help end Russia’s war on terms acceptable to Ukraine.“I’m ready for any step that will end the war,” Budanov said.The proposed visit ultimately did not take place, and the negotiations stalled shortly afterward. No meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and Putin occurred.Negotiations may resume in late SeptemberBudanov said US-mediated talks were expected to restart by the end of September, after Russia’s parliamentary election and several weeks before the US midterm elections.The renewed process is expected to begin with a visit to Kyiv by US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.