Saint Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the near future, saying there is little value in direct talks until negotiators first agree on the framework of a potential peace settlement.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, Putin dismissed Zelensky’s recent proposal for a leaders’ summit aimed at ending the war that has devastated Ukraine for more than four years.
“I see no point in meeting,” Putin said during a discussion at the forum. “Let the experts work, develop some solutions, and then we can meet.”
The Russian leader maintained that meaningful negotiations can only happen once concrete agreements are reached and reiterated that Russia will continue its military campaign until its objectives are fully achieved.
Zelensky Calls For Direct Talks
Putin’s remarks came a day after Zelensky publicly appealed for a direct meeting between the two leaders, arguing that only high-level discussions can address the core issues preventing a peace deal.
In a rare personal message directed at the Russian president, Zelensky proposed setting a specific date for talks.
“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky said. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
The Ukrainian leader’s call received support from several Western allies, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom have encouraged renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Zelensky is also scheduled to meet Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London as part of a broader push to revive stalled peace initiatives.
Russia Repeats Core War Demands
Despite international pressure, Putin showed no signs of softening Russia’s position.
Moscow continues to demand control over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region along with significant political and military restrictions on Kyiv. Ukraine and its Western allies have repeatedly rejected these conditions, arguing they amount to surrender rather than a negotiated peace.
The Kremlin leader insisted that military operations would continue until Russia’s goals are achieved.
“Military actions will end some day, we assume. Without a doubt, they will end once we have achieved the goals we have set for ourselves,” Putin said.
Putin has also repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s president, further complicating prospects for direct negotiations.
Four Years Of War With No End In Sight
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and forced millions from their homes.
Large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine have been heavily damaged during a conflict that Moscow initially expected to conclude within days.
However, despite multiple rounds of international mediation and US-backed peace efforts, both sides remain far apart on key issues.
Putin Defends Russian Economy Amid Growing Pressure
Alongside the discussion on Ukraine, Putin used the economic forum to push back against claims that Russia’s economy is struggling under the weight of war spending and Western sanctions.
Russia’s economy contracted by 0.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, marking its first quarterly decline in three years. Rising inflation, higher taxes and elevated borrowing costs have increased financial pressure on households and businesses.
Nevertheless, Putin rejected suggestions that Russia is facing a severe economic crisis.
“We hear criticism from all sides that everything has collapsed,” he said.
Referring to concerns about the country’s economic outlook, Putin added that Russia had simply reached growth levels similar to those experienced by several eurozone economies in recent years.
A day earlier, when asked about economic concerns, Putin quoted American author Mark Twain, saying, “Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
SPIEF Reflects Russia’s Changing Global Position
Putin’s comments came during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, once known as the “Russian Davos” because of its ability to attract major Western investors and global business leaders.
This year’s event highlighted how dramatically Russia’s international position has changed since the invasion of Ukraine.
The forum opened amid heightened security concerns following Ukrainian drone attacks targeting areas around Saint Petersburg. Kyiv has increasingly focused on strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, including oil depots, refineries and export facilities.
While Western participation has dwindled due to sanctions and geopolitical tensions, delegates from countries such as China and Saudi Arabia have become more prominent attendees.
The event also featured displays of advanced Russian technology, including humanoid robots, alongside investment showcases for territories annexed by Russia from Ukraine.
As diplomatic efforts remain stalled and military operations continue, Putin’s latest remarks suggest that a direct meeting with Zelensky remains unlikely in the immediate future, leaving prospects for a breakthrough in peace negotiations uncertain.