Russian President Vladimir Putin said he sees "no point" in meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war, dismissing a recent letter from Zelenskyy as "boorish.”
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin responded to Zelenskyy’s open letter-his first public message to the Russian leader since the invasion began in 2022-in which Zelenskyy criticized Putin's 26 years of rule, suggesting his age is taking a toll.
Putin stated the letter creates an environment that makes personal meetings impossible, not one conducive to talks. He noted a Russian businessman met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv last month to hear the offer, but Putin currently sees no point in a meeting, particularly after a May 22 drone attack by Ukraine on a Russian-controlled college dormitory in Luhansk that killed 21.
Putin thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for "educating" Zelenskyy during a rocky Oval Office meeting in 2025. Trump said Friday he doesn't mind if the two leaders meet before the U.S. gets involved, but Putin insists on a comprehensive settlement, not an immediate ceasefire.
In a broader speech, Putin accused the West of undermining global finances with sanctions, warning that freezing Russian assets has eroded trust in the dollar and euro. He advocated for a new, multipolar financial architecture.
Putin stressed Russia's macroeconomic stability, despite economic slowdowns from the war. He noted low state debt and budget deficits compared to the West, but acknowledged damage from Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia, vowing to strengthen defenses.