Putin Rejects Zelensky’s Proposal for Direct Talks on Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for a face to face meeting, saying he sees “no point” in holding direct talks at this stage of the four-year conflict.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin described Zelensky’s public letter as “boorish” and said it created barriers to negotiations rather than encouraging them. The letter, published on Friday, was Zelensky’s first direct public message to Putin since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in 2022.

Putin said a Russian businessman had previously delivered Zelensky’s proposal during a visit to Kyiv. However, he cited the May 22 drone attack on a college dormitory in the Russian controlled Luhansk region, which Moscow says killed 21 people, as a reason for rejecting the meeting.

Russia Maintains Ceasefire Conditions

Putin also rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that Russia wants a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary truce. He said Ukraine must accept compromises discussed during last year’s Anchorage summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump later said it would be positive if Putin and Zelensky met to discuss ending the war.