Zelenskyy tells Russian journalist he'll visit Moscow 'on a rocket'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply rebuffed a Russian journalist's question about visiting Moscow during his trip to New York, responding curtly with "On a rocket" and a vulgar expletive without stopping. The exchange occurred Wednesday, September 23, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly as Zelenskyy walked past media representatives. A Russian journalist repeatedly shouted from the crowd asking when he planned to visit Moscow, prompting the president's brief, dismissive response, which was captured on video and spread rapidly on social media. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia does not view Zelenskyy's remark as ruling out negotiations in Moscow, noting he makes "many statements" at the UN. Moscow has repeatedly proposed Moscow as a meeting venue, with Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov inviting Ukrainian officials and offering security guarantees, while Zelenskyy has previously suggested Kyiv instead.