'I see no reason to meet Zelensky', says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin talks to representatives of international news agencies during the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
AP/Dmitri Lovetsky
Russian President Vladimir Putin said this Friday (5) that he sees, at the moment, no reason to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
The statement comes after the leader of Ukraine published, last Thursday (4), an open letter addressed to Putin, proposing that the two hold face-to-face conversations to reach an agreement on the end of the war.
The day before, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov even stated that Zelensky could go to Moscow "at any time", according to state media reports. At that time Putin had not yet seen the letter from the Ukrainian president.
This Friday, however, the head of the Kremlin stated that Zelensky's letter was rude in some parts and did not seem like a sincere offer to talk.
Now on g1
"This letter contains some rather rude remarks. Would it be a way of creating the conditions for a face-to-face meeting or a way of avoiding such a meeting? I believe it was the second option," said Putin.
Nationalists Russians also rejected the Ukrainian president's letter, calling it a malicious public relations maneuver designed to foment domestic discontent in Russia rather than end the war. In a meeting with the international press the day before, Putin maintained his uncompromising stance on the war and stated that his troops were advancing on the battlefield daily.
But he also said that US President Donald Trump's peace proposals could end the fighting if Kiev was willing to make concessions. Both sides accuse each other of refusing to negotiate.
What does Zelensky's letter say?
In the letter, Zelensky criticizes Putin's actions in relation to Ukraine over the last two decades and highlights the consequences of the war, such as the deaths of soldiers and the increase in prices on Russian territory.
"The choice is now yours. Enough of the war. Ukraine proposes to put an end to this war. This must be done with honesty, dignity and with guarantees that the war will not be reignited", says one excerpt from the letter.
After suggesting a face-to-face meeting with Putin, Zelensky says that the meeting between the leaders should take place outside Russia or Ukraine. The Ukrainian president also suggests a total ceasefire during negotiations between the countries.
"There are countries that traditionally welcome leaders to resolve issues of war and peace. Switzerland, Turkey and countries in the Arab world, for example."
*With information from the Reuters news agency.

Source: G1