Putin Shuts Down Zelensky’s Offer for Talks: “No Point” in Meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has brushed off a direct meeting request from Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, saying there’s simply “no point” right now.

Zelensky had written an open letter on Thursday, challenging Putin to face to face talks and calling for a ceasefire. His tone was bold and at times mocking suggesting that age might be catching up with Putin after 26 years in power, and pointing to recent Ukrainian drone strikes as “paying a visit.”

But Putin wasn’t having it. Speaking at Russia’s annual economic forum in St. Petersburg on Friday, he called the letter “rude” and made it clear he sees the request as a political move, not a real opening for peace. “I don’t see any point for now,” he said. “Was it a way to create conditions for a meeting? I think it was the opposite.”

Putin doubled down on his usual stance: no ceasefire just to let Ukraine regroup. He wants long term agreements first on Russia’s terms. That includes Ukraine pulling out of four occupied regions and dropping its NATO ambitions.

Zelensky’s response was quick and sharp: “Russia is choosing war again.” He said many in the world were disappointed by Putin’s refusal.

Still, the letter briefly raised hopes in some places, including the White House. President Donald Trump called a potential meeting “great.” But for now, Putin says the only way talks happen is if experts lay the groundwork first then maybe they can meet.

On the ground, fighting hasn’t let up. Ukraine said it struck five cargo ships accused of stealing grain and moving military supplies. One Ukrainian drone even exploded near Romania’s Black Sea port after being knocked off course by Russian jamming. Meanwhile, Russian attacks have killed at least 13 people in Ukraine over the past day, including four at a dairy factory outside Kyiv.