Putin Says No Reason To Meet Zelensky Now
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he currently sees no reason to hold direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, arguing that groundwork for a long-term agreement must come before any face-to-face meeting.
Putin Rejects Zelensky Meeting Proposal
Putin made the remarks after Zelensky published an open letter proposing direct talks to help end the war, which is now in its fifth year.
The Russian president said the letter contained remarks he viewed as rude and questioned whether it was genuinely intended to create conditions for negotiations. He said expert-level discussions should first produce possible solutions before a leaders’ meeting could take place.
Russia-Ukraine War Talks Remain Stalled
Putin said he did not see the point of a meeting unless it led to durable agreements rather than short-term pauses. He also claimed Russian forces were continuing to advance on the battlefield.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has maintained that it will not recognise Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territory or withdraw from areas of Donbas that it still holds. Both sides continue to accuse each other of refusing to compromise.
Zelensky Says Putin Choosing War
Zelensky responded by saying Putin’s statement showed Russia was again choosing war instead of peace. He said Moscow’s response would disappoint many countries seeking an end to the conflict.
The latest exchange comes amid continued missile and drone attacks by both sides, Western sanctions on Russia and growing pressure for diplomatic movement. However, the possibility of direct Putin-Zelenskiy talks remains distant.
