Putin Rules Out Meeting with Zelenskyy in Near Future, Emphasizes Continued Military Advance

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ruled out a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the near future, a day after Zelenskyy called for direct talks between the two leaders to end the more than four-year war.

Speaking at an economic forum in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Putin said he saw 'no point' in meeting Zelenskyy until peace terms are negotiated, drawing criticism from Ukraine, which called the Russian leader 'weak' and accused him of 'choosing war again.'

Putin emphasized that Russian forces will continue their military operations until all war goals are fully achieved.

Russia demands control over the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and broad political and military restrictions on Ukraine, terms that Ukraine and its allies reject as tantamount to surrender.

Despite peace negotiations brokered by the United States, the two sides have failed to narrow their positions.

Zelenskyy on Thursday made a rare direct appeal to Putin, saying: 'Ukraine proposes to end this war through direct contact between you and me. I propose to hold talks. I propose setting a specific date for this meeting.'

Putin, however, flatly refused on Friday. 'I see no point in a meeting. The only thing that makes sense for Ukraine is to stop our troops' advance, that's all. What we need is an agreement... Let the experts work first, draft some proposals, and then we can meet,' he said.

After Putin's refusal, Zelenskyy said: 'Unfortunately, Russia has chosen war again. Everyone heard today's response. It's a weak response. He simply does not want to end the war.'

Zelenskyy's proposal has received support from several allies, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Saturday to inject new momentum into efforts to end the war.