Vladimir Putin has rejected an offer from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold face-to-face talks, insisting instead that Russia will achieve its war goals, including seizing the entire 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, with diplomacy starting from the current frontline and Ukraine ready for a full ceasefire during negotiations. The letter also alluded to Russia's recent military setbacks and growing fuel shortages in Crimea caused by Ukrainian attacks on supply routes. Hours before the forum opened, Ukrainian drones struck St Petersburg's oil terminal, sending black smoke into the sky.
Putin shrugged off the strikes 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, while repeating demands that Ukraine give up Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. He questioned the letter's purpose, suggesting it was meant to avoid a meeting rather than facilitate one. Addressing Russian troops, he said: “Keep working, brothers.”
Zelenskyy responded that the rejection showed the Kremlin had no wish to end the conflict. “Unfortunately, the Russian side is once again choosing war,” he said. He added that the response was weak and would disappoint many in the world. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones hit five Russian cargo ships in occupied southern ports and the Sea of Azov overnight. Ukraine's unmanned forces chief said the vessels carried military fuel and stolen grain, while Russia reported five Azerbaijani sailors killed.
Zelenskyy's peace offer has won approval from key allies, including Donald Trump and France's president, Emmanuel Macron. Zelenskyy is due to meet Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London to inject fresh momentum into peace efforts. At the forum, Putin dismissed claims of economic collapse, despite the economy shrinking 0.2% in the first quarter of 2026 – its first quarterly slump in three years. He insisted Russia was pursuing a sovereign economy, comparing it to eurozone levels.
