Putin Rejects Zelenskyy's Call for Direct Talks
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- Putin dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for a face‑to‑face meeting, calling it “no point” during a Q&A at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
- Zelenskyy sent a public open letter to Putin, the first direct message since Russia’s 2022 invasion, criticizing Putin’s 26‑year rule and mocking his age.
- Putin said a Russian businessman traveled to Kyiv and met Zelenskyy to discuss the meeting offer, but still deemed a personal meeting pointless after a May 22 drone strike in Luhansk that killed 21.
- Trump remarked that it would be “great” if Putin and Zelenskyy met, echoing a call for dialogue.
- Putin reiterated that Russia seeks a comprehensive settlement based on the 2023 Anchorage summit with Trump, rejecting Zelenskyy’s push for an immediate ceasefire.
Why it matters: Ukraine loses a chance for direct talks, while Russia’s stance keeps the war ongoing; the May 22 Luhansk drone strike that killed 21 shows the conflict’s lethal intensity.
