Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for direct talks aimed at ending the war, saying he currently sees no reason for a face-to-face meeting.
Zelensky had appealed publicly for negotiations in an open letter released on Thursday, arguing that it was wrong to simply wait for international attention—particularly from the United States—to return to the conflict. He also renewed calls for a ceasefire while adopting a firm and occasionally sarcastic tone toward the Kremlin leader.
Speaking at Russia’s annual economic forum in St. Petersburg on Friday, Putin dismissed the proposal and described Zelensky’s letter as disrespectful. He questioned whether the invitation was genuinely intended to pave the way for meaningful discussions.
“I don’t see any point for now,” Putin said. “Was it an attempt to create conditions for a face-to-face meeting, or was it a way to avoid one? I believe it was the latter.”
Zelensky responded swiftly, accusing Moscow of once again choosing conflict over peace.
“He simply does not want to end the war,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. “I believe many people around the world were disappointed by this response.”
Putin reiterated Russia’s long-held position that a ceasefire should only come after a comprehensive agreement is reached. According to him, halting hostilities now would merely give Ukraine an opportunity to regroup while leaving Moscow’s demands unresolved.
“The Ukrainian side wants to stop the advance of our armed forces,” Putin said. “But what we need are long-term agreements—not arrangements that last three or six months. Experts should continue working on solutions, and then we can meet.”
The Russian president also made it clear that military operations would continue until Russia achieves its objectives.
“Military actions will end one day, certainly,” he said. “But they will end only when we have achieved the goals we have set.”
Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and permanently abandon its ambition to join NATO. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected those conditions, insisting that surrendering territory would only encourage further Russian aggression. Ukrainian officials often point to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, followed by the full-scale invasion eight years later, as evidence of that risk.
In his letter, Zelensky also took a personal swipe at Putin, suggesting that after more than two decades in power, age was beginning to affect the Russian leader. He further highlighted recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, including a drone attack near St. Petersburg, which he described as “paying a visit.”
Putin said the letter contained several comments he considered offensive and inappropriate.
Despite the sharp exchange, Zelensky’s proposal generated some optimism among international observers. In Washington, US President Donald Trump said it would be positive if the two leaders agreed to meet.
Meanwhile, fighting continued on multiple fronts.
Ukraine announced on Friday that it had targeted five vessels allegedly transporting illegal cargo in the Sea of Azov and waters off Russian-occupied territories. According to Ukraine’s drone commander, Robert Brovdi, the ships were involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain as well as fuel and military supplies.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reported that five people were killed in attacks on two vessels in the Sea of Azov. While it did not identify those responsible, officials confirmed that the ships were not Azerbaijani-owned.
Elsewhere, a Ukrainian drone exploded in Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanța after reportedly being diverted by Russian electronic warfare systems.
The human cost of the conflict also continued to rise. Ukrainian authorities said at least 13 people were killed and around 70 others injured in Russian attacks over the past 24 hours. Among the victims were four people who died when a dairy factory near Kyiv was struck, while a separate drone attack on a petrol station in Kherson killed a 35-year-old woman.
