Vladimir Putin responded negatively to the possibility of direct talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, “freezing” expectations for a potential meeting between the two leaders. Speaking from Saint Petersburg, the Russian president stated that he sees “no reason to meet,” effectively rejecting the Ukrainian president’s proposal, which had been sent directly to the Kremlin. He also noted that Zelensky’s letter was in certain parts “rude” and “did not appear as a sincere proposal for conducting negotiations.”
Zelensky on Putin: “He simply doesn’t want to end the war”
In his first reaction, Zelensky commented that Putin “continues to choose war” with Ukraine. “Unfortunately, the Russian side continues to choose war. He simply doesn’t want to end the war. I think this response will disappoint many around the world,” Zelensky stated.
Unfortunately, the Russian side once again chooses war – everyone heard the response today. Weak response. He simply does not want to end the war.
I think many around the world were disappointed by that response. He does not want to change anything, and he does not want to admit… pic.twitter.com/En6BySTKPP
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 5, 2026
