MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for direct face-to-face talks to end the conflict, saying he saw no point in such a meeting for now.
Putin made the remarks on Friday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The rejection came a day after Zelenskyy issued an open letter publicly calling for leader-level negotiations.
In the letter sent on Thursday, Zelenskyy proposed direct engagement between the two leaders and a ceasefire during any talks. Putin described the letter as “boorish” and questioned its intent.
“I don’t see any point for now,” Putin said, according to multiple reports from the event. He added that the only purpose such a meeting would serve for the Ukrainian side would be “to stop the advance of our armed forces.”
Putin stated that any talks should be preceded by work at the expert level to develop long-term solutions rather than temporary measures. He reiterated that military operations would continue until Russia’s goals in the conflict, now in its fifth year since the 2022 full-scale invasion, are achieved.
The Kremlin has previously indicated openness to negotiations under certain conditions but has questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader after his presidential term expired without new elections due to martial law. Zelenskyy has maintained that direct talks with Putin are necessary for any lasting resolution.
Ukrainian officials responded by accusing Russia of choosing continued conflict over diplomacy. Details of Zelenskyy’s specific proposals in the letter, including offers related to a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges and other measures, were reported but their full scope remains subject to interpretation by both sides.
The exchange comes amid ongoing fighting along the front lines in eastern Ukraine and periodic Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory, including recent drone activity near St. Petersburg. Neither side provided immediate new details on battlefield developments tied directly to the diplomatic statements.
International mediators, including references to potential U.S. involvement under the current administration, have been discussed in recent months, but no breakthroughs have been reported. Putin indicated that proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump could form a basis for agreements if both sides compromise.
As of Saturday, no further direct communications between the two leaders or shifts in negotiating positions were announced by either Moscow or Kyiv. The conflict continues with no immediate ceasefire in sight.
