Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for direct face-to-face talks to end the war in Ukraine, saying he sees “no point” in such a meeting for now.
Zelensky sent an open letter on Thursday urging Putin to sit down and negotiate. In the letter, he argued that it was wrong to simply wait for the conflict — which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 — to become a top priority for the United States again. He also called for an immediate ceasefire.
Putin described the letter as “rude” and said it seemed designed to avoid real talks rather than encourage them. Speaking at Russia’s annual economic forum in St. Petersburg on Friday, he made his position clear: “I don’t see any point for now.”
Putin’s Conditions for Peace
Putin repeated Russia’s long-standing demands before any ceasefire can take place. He said a temporary halt in fighting would only give Ukraine time to regroup. Instead, he wants long-term agreements that meet Russia’s goals.
“Let the experts get to work and come up with some solutions. After that, we can meet,” Putin said.
Russia insists that Ukraine must withdraw its forces from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions and give up any plans to join NATO. Putin stated that military operations will continue until Russia achieves its objectives.
Zelensky quickly responded on Telegram, saying Russia “was choosing war again.” He added that many people around the world were disappointed by Putin’s answer.
Zelensky’s Letter and Recent Strikes
In his letter, Zelensky took a defiant and sometimes mocking tone. He suggested that after 26 years in power, age was affecting Putin, and he highlighted recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets — including one near St. Petersburg — calling it “paying a visit.”
On Friday, Ukraine reported striking five cargo ships in the Sea of Azov and nearby waters. Ukrainian officials said the ships were carrying stolen Ukrainian grain as well as fuel and military supplies for Russia. Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry reported that five people were killed in attacks on two of those ships.
Separately, a Ukrainian drone exploded in Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta after being knocked off course by Russian electronic interference, according to Ukrainian operators.
Russian attacks on Ukraine over the past day killed at least 13 people and injured 70 others. Among the incidents were a strike on a dairy factory near Kyiv that killed four and a drone attack on a petrol station in Kherson that killed a 35-year-old woman.
International Reactions
The possibility of direct talks had raised some hopes for peace. U.S. President Donald Trump said it “would be great” if the two leaders met.
However, the deep divisions remain. Ukraine refuses to give up any territory, arguing that doing so would only encourage Russia to attack again in the future. The current conflict came eight years after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in 2014.
As the war continues, both sides show no sign of backing down from their core positions.
