Key facts
- Putin stated he sees no reason to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Putin described Zelensky's open letter as rude and insincere.
- Putin believes Zelensky's letter was intended to prevent a meeting.
- Putin stated Russian troops are advancing daily.
- Putin mentioned Trump's peace proposals could end the fighting if Kyiv compromised.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that he currently sees no reason to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This comes after Zelensky published an open letter proposing face-to-face talks to end the war. Putin described the letter as containing rude remarks and not reflecting a sincere offer for talks, suggesting it was designed to prevent a meeting rather than facilitate one. Speaking at Russia's annual economic forum, Putin said, 'I don't see any point for now.' He also mentioned that his troops were advancing daily on the battlefield. Separately, Putin commented that former U.S. President Donald Trump's peace proposals could end the fighting if Kyiv was ready to compromise, though both sides accuse each other of refusing to compromise. Earlier, Russian nationalists had dismissed Zelensky's letter as a malicious public relations stunt intended to stir internal discontent within Russia, rather than to end the war.