Putin rejects Zelensky's open-letter meeting proposal, calling it 'impertinent' and 'inappropriate'
Vladimir Putin rejected Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal for a direct meeting to end the war, demanding a final agreement be negotiated first. Zelensky responded that Russia 'once again chooses war.'
The open letter and the rejection
On Thursday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter to Vladimir Putin proposing a face-to-face meeting to negotiate an end to the war. The letter, posted on the Ukrainian presidency's website, stated: 'Ukraine proposes to end this war through direct contact between you and us. I propose a meeting.' The timing coincided with the close of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where Putin was holding his traditional meeting with international news agencies.
Putin's response on Friday was swift and sharp. Speaking at the forum's closing session, he declared:
He insisted that specialists must first develop solutions before any leaders' summit, and described Zelensky's public letter as 'impertinent' and 'totally inappropriate.' Throughout his remarks, Putin referred to Zelensky only as 'the author of the letter.'I don't see the point of a meeting. It is only of interest to the Ukrainian side in order to stop the advance of our armed forces.
Zelensky's rebuttal
Zelensky responded Friday evening on social media, framing the rejection as a choice for continued conflict.
He added that Russia 'needs to have less money and more pressure on it,' referencing Ukraine's ongoing campaign of strikes against Russian oil refineries aimed at draining the Kremlin's war finances.Unfortunately, the Russian side once again chooses war. Everyone heard today's response. A weak response. He simply does not want to end the war.
The diplomatic deadlock
The exchange underscores a fundamental impasse now in its fifth year. Russia demands political and territorial concessions, including a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donetsk region. Kyiv rejects these terms as tantamount to capitulation. Ukraine has long sought an extended ceasefire to enable negotiations, but Moscow refuses, arguing any pause would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup.
Several rounds of US-mediated negotiations in recent months have failed to bridge the gap, with the process stalling further as Washington's attention shifted toward Iran. Putin referenced a prior understanding with US President Donald Trump from a meeting in Alaska last year, where the American leader reportedly agreed Ukraine should cede Donbas to end the war. Zelensky's letter pointedly noted that 'Ukrainian and European issues are not decided in Anchorage.'
The wider context
The war has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of refugees, with immense destruction concentrated in eastern Ukraine, parts of which remain under Moscow's control. Putin stated that hostilities 'will end one day' when Russia has 'achieved the objectives we set for ourselves.' He then addressed his troops directly:
Keep working, brothers.
In a separate development on Friday, Ukraine and Russia exchanged 185 prisoners of war from each side. Zelensky confirmed the returning Ukrainians included service members from the armed forces, national guard, and border guard service, as well as one civilian. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that according to NATO intelligence assessments, a Russian attack on the alliance could come 'as early as 2030.'
Next steps
French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are scheduled to meet Zelensky in London on Sunday. The Élysée Palace said the talks will focus on 'support for Ukraine' and 'strengthening pressure on Russia's war effort.' The three European leaders will confer among themselves before receiving the Ukrainian president.
- Zelensky publishes open letter to Putin proposing a face-to-face meeting to end the war.
- Putin rejects the proposal at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, calling the letter 'impertinent' and the meeting 'pointless.'
- Zelensky responds on social media: 'Russia once again chooses war. He simply does not want to end it.'
- Macron, Starmer, and Merz scheduled to meet Zelensky in London to discuss support for Ukraine.
