Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he currently sees no point in meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, arguing that Kyiv is seeking high-level talks primarily to halt the advance of Russian forces.
Speaking at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said he had briefly reviewed a recent letter from Zelensky and advised the Ukrainian leader not to fear elections or attempt to retain power without a democratic mandate.
According to Putin, Kyiv wants to continue receiving weapons from the United States but is unwilling to accept U.S. President Donald Trump as a guarantor in any potential settlement. The Russian leader thanked Trump for what he described as efforts to influence Zelensky’s behavior, while adding that “much work still remains to be done.”
Putin also revealed that Zelensky had recently requested a meeting through a Russian businessman. He stressed that he has never refused direct talks with the Ukrainian president but opposes meetings that he considers unproductive.
The Russian president claimed that Ukraine is interested in a leaders’ summit only to slow the progress of Russian military operations. He further criticized Zelensky’s open letter, saying it contained elements of rudeness and appeared designed to undermine the possibility of a personal meeting.
“For now, I see no sense in meeting Zelensky,” Putin said.
Responding to Zelensky’s letter, Putin concluded by addressing Russian troops with the words: “Keep working, brothers.”
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