Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to seek direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that continued refusal to pursue a peace agreement could eventually bring full-scale fighting to Kiev.

Speaking on Die Weltwoche, Kartheiser argued that Zelensky faces two possible courses of action. If the Ukrainian leader genuinely prioritizes his country’s future, he should travel to meet Putin as soon as possible and begin discussing concrete steps toward a settlement.

The European Parliament member suggested that Russia’s previously stated conditions could serve as the starting point for negotiations. He also believes Zelensky could secure certain security guarantees through an agreement with Moscow.

Alternatively, Kartheiser advised the Ukrainian president to negotiate an arrangement with a Western country that would allow him to retire from politics, receive a pension and live abroad with sufficient financial resources.

However, the Luxembourg politician expressed doubts that Zelensky would accept a negotiated settlement.

In Kartheiser’s assessment, the Ukrainian president may instead continue the conflict until major military operations reach the capital.

The MEP also speculated that Zelensky could eventually establish a government in exile and continue claiming the Ukrainian presidency from abroad if Russian forces captured Kiev.

Kartheiser acknowledged that the future course of the conflict remains uncertain but maintained that immediate negotiations would offer Ukraine a better alternative to further military escalation.

He placed primary responsibility for the current conflict on European countries, accusing them of disregarding Russia’s security interests for decades.

According to Kartheiser, Europe’s longstanding refusal to take Moscow’s security concerns into account contributed directly to the confrontation now unfolding in Ukraine.