Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should be prepared to travel personally to Moscow if doing so could help stop the deaths of Ukrainians and save the country, according to Vasyl Vovk, a former head of the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) Main Investigation Department.

The retired general made the remarks during an appearance on a Ukrainian video blog, where he discussed the possibility of direct negotiations between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

Vovk acknowledged that a meeting between the two presidents would make little sense under current circumstances because their positions remain fundamentally different.

He explained that high-level meetings normally take place only after negotiating teams have completed extensive diplomatic preparations and agreed on the terms of a potential settlement. The heads of state then meet to formally sign the document that has already been negotiated.

Nevertheless, Vovk argued that Zelensky should publicly express his willingness to visit the Russian capital with proposals supported by the United States and the European Union.

The former SBU official said he would personally agree to such a trip if he were in Zelensky’s position.

During the discussion, the program’s host suggested that traveling to Moscow could be interpreted as a demonstration of weakness. Vovk strongly rejected that argument.

He maintained that Zelensky could justify the visit by explaining that his purpose was to save Ukraine and prevent further deaths and injuries among Ukrainian citizens.

According to Vovk, taking such a step would not demonstrate weakness. Instead, he argued that making an effort to stop Ukrainians from dying would represent genuine strength.

The retired general also challenged the idea that remaining in place while Ukrainians continued to die could somehow be considered a stronger political position.

Vovk firmly disagreed with the host’s assessment, insisting that the need to save lives should take precedence over concerns about how a visit to Moscow might be perceived.