Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared his willingness to attend the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) leaders’ summit in Miami this December, contingent upon Russian President Vladimir Putin also being present. In an exclusive interview with DW correspondent Misha Komadovsky on Friday, Zelenskyy responded affirmatively to the prospect of a face-to-face encounter.
“Yes, of course. We have to come. We have to meet, to speak and make decisions,” Zelenskyy said. He stressed that the content of their conversation was secondary to tangible outcomes. “It’s not about words. What I will tell him or what he wants to tell me, it doesn’t matter. […] Results matter. That’s it.”
The two leaders have not met in person since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While the Kremlin has yet to confirm whether Putin will attend the Miami summit, it is worth noting that the Russian president has not personally participated in a G20 gathering since 2019. This comes despite recent invitations extended to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov by the United States for a separate G20 meeting in North Carolina, a move that drew criticism from European officials.
Beyond diplomacy, Zelenskyy highlighted urgent military needs as Ukraine braces for the winter months. He acknowledged difficulties in countering the increasing deployment of Russian jet-propelled drones and expressed hope for continued U.S. support, particularly regarding Patriot missile systems. Although American political will exists, Zelenskyy noted that production limitations constrain supply.
“They have political will to sell and to help, but [the production is not too big.],” he explained. “So it means that stocks is a variant.”
Zelenskyy provided stark figures regarding the defense disparity, noting that Russia currently manufactures 140 ballistic missiles monthly. Under NATO rules of engagement, destroying such a volume would require a two-to-one advantage, meaning Kyiv would need approximately 280 missiles per month. He acknowledged the extreme difficulty of securing even 100 to 120 missiles monthly but identified this as a critical priority for the coming cold season.
In a positive development, Germany announced earlier this week that it would contribute Patriot missiles from its national stockpile, though specific quantities were not disclosed. Zelenskyy also urged European allies to maximize their contributions, stating, “With all respect to them, they have to give to Ukrainians to save their lives.”
Additionally, the Ukrainian president discussed efforts to establish a domestic anti-missile defense system named Freya, developed in partnership with several European companies. He expressed optimism that the first test phase could commence by the end of December, emphasizing the urgency of the timeline.
Zelenskyy also reflected on recent diplomatic engagements with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who visited Kyiv following meetings in Moscow. He described the visit as a “good signal” and asserted that Ukraine is in a strong position for negotiations. Citing Russian casualty estimates exceeding 30,000 soldiers per month, Zelenskyy argued that Moscow is paying a high price for minimal territorial gains.
On the economic front, the president addressed the severe impact of Russia’s de facto blockade of Black Sea ports in the Odesa region, which has caused a 76% year-on-year decline in Ukraine’s grain exports for August. Zelenskyy suggested that an energy and grain ceasefire could serve as a foundational step toward broader peace negotiations, marking these sectors as top priorities for immediate resolution.
Interesting that Putin hasn’t attended a G20 since 2019. Does his presence actually signal willingness to negotiate seriously?
Hope this meeting yields actual results, not just photo ops. Ukraine’s defense needs are desperately urgent right now.