Russian President Vladimir Putin said he sees “no point” in meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before a possible peace framework is developed, while Zelenskyy accused Moscow of choosing war.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for direct talks, saying he sees no reason for the two leaders to meet unless the foundations of a possible peace agreement are already in place.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said Russia would continue its military campaign until Moscow’s stated objectives are achieved. His comments came one day after Zelenskyy publicly appealed for a face-to-face meeting aimed at ending the four-year war.
“I see no point in meeting,” Putin said. “It only makes sense for the Ukrainian side to stop the advance of our armed forces. That’s it. And we need agreements.”
“Let the experts work, develop some solutions, and then we can meet,” Putin added.
Zelenskyy responded by accusing Putin of refusing diplomacy.
“Unfortunately, the Russian side is choosing war again,” Zelenskyy said. “Everyone heard today’s response — a weak response. He simply doesn’t want to end the war.”
The Ukrainian leader had issued a direct appeal Thursday, urging Putin to set a date for talks.
“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you,” Zelenskyy said in an open letter. “I am proposing a meeting. I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
The proposal had drawn support from several of Ukraine’s allies, including President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelenskyy is expected to meet Sunday in London with Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as Kyiv seeks to build momentum behind a diplomatic push.
Putin, however, told the forum that Russia’s campaign would not stop until Moscow secures its objectives.
“Military actions will end someday, we assume,” Putin said. “Without a doubt, they will end once we have achieved the goals we have set for ourselves.”
Russia has demanded control over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region and sweeping restrictions on Ukraine’s military and political orientation. Kyiv and its allies have rejected those terms, viewing them as equivalent to surrender. U.S.-brokered peace efforts have not yet produced a breakthrough.
The war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which Putin has described as a “special military operation.” Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine have been devastated, and millions have been displaced.
Russia carried out additional deadly attacks Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities, who said four civilians were killed and seven were wounded in strikes on Mykolaivka and Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region.
Putin’s remarks came as the St. Petersburg forum, once known as the “Russian Davos,” opened under the shadow of Ukrainian drone attacks on the city earlier in the week. Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including oil depots, refineries and export hubs, threatening one of Moscow’s most important sources of revenue.
The forum, which once attracted Western investors looking to enter Russia’s fast-growing economy, now reflects the country’s wartime posture and its pivot toward allies outside the West. AFP reporters saw drones, machine guns and Russian-made humanoid robots displayed at the venue, along with stands promoting investment in regions Russia annexed from Ukraine.
Guests included actor Steven Seagal, American conservative commentator Candace Owens, Trump’s ballroom commissioner and lawmakers from Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Putin also used the event to reject claims that Russia’s economy is nearing collapse under the cost of the war, sanctions and rising domestic pressure. Russia has faced high inflation, tax increases and borrowing costs at levels not seen in two decades.
“We, of course, hear criticism from all sides that everything has collapsed,” Putin said.
“We have descended to the same level at which eurozone countries have been living through for the past few years,” he said, adding that Russia is pursuing a “sovereign” economy.
Asked Thursday by AFP about Russia’s economic difficulties, Putin invoked Mark Twain.
“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” he said.
The exchange between Putin and Zelenskyy underscored the distance between the two sides. Kyiv says direct talks between the presidents are necessary to resolve the central issues of a peace deal, while Moscow says such a meeting should come only after lower-level experts have produced concrete agreements.
For now, Putin’s rejection leaves diplomatic efforts stalled as fighting continues across eastern Ukraine and both governments prepare for the next phase of military and political pressure.
Original article
Comments