Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for direct talks, saying he sees "no point" in a meeting. Speaking at Russia's annual economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin called Zelensky's open letter "rude" and reiterated Moscow's stance that peace negotiations must come before any ceasefire.
In his letter, Zelensky requested face-to-face negotiations and a ceasefire, striking a defiant and mocking tone. He accused Putin of avoiding peace. After hearing Putin's response, Zelensky said Russia "was choosing war again."
Putin argued a ceasefire would only allow Ukraine to regroup while Moscow's demands-including Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions and abandoning NATO ambitions-remain unmet. He said military action will end once Russia's goals are achieved.
The White House had expressed hope for a meeting, with President Donald Trump saying "it would be great" if the two leaders sat down together.
Meanwhile, fighting continues. Ukraine's drone commander accused Russian forces of stealing Ukrainian grain and transferring military supplies. A Ukrainian drone accidentally exploded in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta after being knocked off course by Russian electronic interference. At least 13 people were killed and 70 wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past day.