Vladimir Putin has rejected an offer from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold face-to-face talks, insisting Russia will achieve its war goals in Ukraine, including seizing all of the eastern Donbas region. Speaking at the St Petersburg economic forum, the Russian president described the Ukrainian leader's open letter as rude and refused to use his name, referring to him only as 'its author'. Asked if they could meet to discuss ending the conflict, Putin replied: 'So far I see no point.'
Zelenskyy's letter, published on Thursday, proposed a meeting in a third country such as Switzerland or Turkey, and suggested diplomacy should start from the current frontline, with Ukraine ready for a full ceasefire during negotiations. It also highlighted Russia's recent military setbacks and fuel shortages in Crimea caused by Ukrainian attacks on supply routes. Hours before the forum opened, Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg's oil terminal, sending black smoke into the sky.
Putin shrugged off the strikes on his home city and said his territorial demands were unchanged. He claimed Russia controlled all of the Luhansk region – a claim Kyiv denies – and more than 85% of Donetsk region, repeating demands for Ukraine to give up Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Calling for 'long-term peace', he questioned the letter's intent, suggesting it was meant to avoid a meeting. Speaking to Russian troops, he said: 'Keep working, brothers'.
Zelenskyy said Putin's rejection showed the Kremlin had no wish to end the conflict. 'Unfortunately, the Russian side is once again choosing war. Everyone heard the response. A weak response,' he said in his nightly address. 'I think this response will have disappointed many in the world.' The Ukrainian leader's peace offer won approval from key allies, including Donald Trump and France's president, Emmanuel Macron.
Observers suggested the letter was written with Ukraine's allies in mind and aimed at needling Putin. It included a pointed historical reminder: 'When Russia grows tired, change comes.' Meanwhile, a US delegation headed by Rodney Mims Cook Jr attended the forum, passing on Trump's regards to Putin. Addressing the plenary session, Putin dismissed claims the Russian economy was collapsing, despite a 0.2% contraction in the first quarter of 2026, its first quarterly slump in three years.
