Putin Rejects Zelensky’s Call for Direct Talks, Says ‘No Point’ in Meeting Ukrainian Leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for direct face-to-face talks aimed at ending the war between the two countries, saying he currently sees “no point” in such a meeting.

Putin made the remarks on Friday while speaking at Russia’s annual economic forum in St. Petersburg, responding to an open letter issued by Zelensky a day earlier urging both leaders to engage directly in efforts to end the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In the letter, Zelensky called for immediate negotiations and a ceasefire, arguing that it was no longer acceptable to wait for international circumstances to dictate the pace of peace efforts.

The Ukrainian leader also adopted a defiant tone, urging Moscow to demonstrate genuine commitment to ending the war.

Responding, Putin criticised the contents of the letter and questioned whether Zelensky’s proposal was a sincere attempt at diplomacy.

“I don’t see any point for now,” Putin said. “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.”

The Russian leader described portions of the letter as “rude” and reiterated Moscow’s long-standing position that meaningful negotiations must come before any ceasefire arrangement.

According to Putin, a temporary halt in fighting would merely provide Ukraine with an opportunity to regroup militarily while core issues remain unresolved.

“The only point is for the Ukrainian side to halt the advance of our armed forces. But we need agreements not for six months, not for three months, but for the long term,” he said.

“Let the experts get to work and come up with some solutions. After that, we can meet.”

Putin further stated that military operations would only end when Russia achieves its strategic objectives.

“Military actions will end some day, we assume. Without a doubt, they will end once we have achieved the goals we have set for ourselves,” he added.

Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while also abandoning its ambition of joining NATO.

Kyiv has consistently rejected those demands, insisting that surrendering territory would reward aggression and create conditions for future attacks.

Following Putin’s comments, Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately prolonging the conflict.

“He just doesn’t want to end the war. I think many in the world were disappointed by this answer,” the Ukrainian president said in a statement.

The exchange comes amid renewed military activity on both sides. Ukrainian authorities reported strikes on vessels operating in Russian-controlled waters, while Russia continued attacks on several Ukrainian regions, resulting in civilian casualties.

The latest diplomatic setback highlights the deep divisions that continue to hinder prospects for a negotiated settlement more than four years after the conflict escalated into full-scale war.