Putin rejects Zelensky's offer of meeting

TT

Updated 19.47 | Published 18.06

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin during the economic meeting in St. Petersburg. Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP/TT

Russian President Vladimir Putin has flatly rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's invitation for direct talks to end the Russian war of aggression.

Putin says there is "no point" in meeting Zelensky until a peace agreement is reached.

- Military operations will end when we have achieved the goals we set, Putin said.

Previously, the Kremlin has had a long list of goals for Russian warfare, including full control of the eastern Donbass region and the Crimean peninsula, as well as comprehensive political and military changes in Ukraine.

The statement was made during the ongoing economic meeting being held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

– Let the experts work, come up with some solutions, and then we can meet, Putin said.

Zelenskyj commented on Putin's statement by saying that "the Russian side, unfortunately, is choosing war again".

– Everyone heard today's answer. A weak answer. He simply does not want to end the war, said the Ukrainian president.

On Sunday, Zelenskyj is in London to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.