Putin rejects Zelenskyy’s request for face-to-face talks to end Ukraine-Russia war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for direct talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, saying he sees “no point” in such a meeting at this stage.

Speaking at Russia’s economic forum in St Petersburg on Friday, Putin dismissed Zelenskyy’s open letter calling for face-to-face negotiations between the two leaders.

“This letter contains some rather ‌rude remarks. Was it a way to create the conditions for a face-to-face meeting or a way not to set up a face-to-face meeting? I think it was the second,” Putin said.

Asked whether he would meet Zelenskyy, the Russian leader replied: “I ⁠don’t see any point for now.”

Putin added that any meeting should only happen after negotiators reach agreements. “And we need agreements … Let the experts work, develop some solutions, and then we can meet,” he said.

Zelenskyy later criticised Putin’s response, saying it showed Moscow had no real interest in ending the conflict.

“Unfortunately, the ⁠Russian side is ⁠once again choosing war – everyone hear the ⁠response. A weak ⁠response,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.

The exchange comes as peace talks remain stalled over Russia’s demand to retain occupied Ukrainian territory.

Putin also repeated that military operations would continue until Russia achieves its objectives in the war.