Zelensky Says Putin Does Not Want Peace After Rejecting Meeting Proposal

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “simply does not want to end the war,” describing the Kremlin’s response to his proposal for a direct meeting as “weak.”

“Unfortunately, the Russian side once again chooses war – everyone heard the response today. Weak response,” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. “He simply does not want to end the war. I think many around the world were disappointed by that response.”

Zelensky’s remarks came after Putin publicly responded to his open letter, in which Zelensky proposed a face-to-face meeting aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion and achieving a ceasefire.

Zelensky’s letter, published late on Thursday, came amid Putin’s meeting with senior editors of major news agencies in the Constantine Palace during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. 

Although Putin said he had never refused talks, he questioned the purpose of the meeting, arguing it “would be pointless” and “primarily benefit Ukraine.” 

Zelensky proposed a summit hosted by a neutral state such as Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab country, involving key European actors and the US as potential security guarantors, but Putin rejected the offer and refused to meet.

“He does not want to change anything,” Zelensky said about Putin, “and he does not want to admit that this war appeals only to him – and to those who are making money off him. They were all smiling very broadly today.”

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Putin Responds to Zelensky’s Letter, Says Meeting Would Be Pointless

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 5, Vladimir Putin said he had read Zelensky’s open letter that morning. He addressed comments about his age and time in office, criticized Ukraine’s election policy, and claimed Zelensky had requested a meeting through a Russian businessman. Putin said he had never refused talks but questioned the purpose of such a meeting and argued it would primarily benefit Ukraine.

Earlier, Zelensky called this war Putin’s “personal choice – a war without a real cause,”  arguing that Moscow no longer has financial or political resources to sustain it as easily as it did in the beginning of the invasion in 2022.

With the Russian economy under strain from fuel shortages, rising prices and the prospect of a second wave of mobilization, he said public fatigue inside Russia is growing by the day.

“That means Russia must have less money, and there must be more pressure on Russia,” arguing that the only realistic way to change the course of war is to slow down Russia’s ability to pay for it. 

Zelensky thanked everyone helping Ukraine. “I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine and wants real peace,” he said.

Weak response or plain mockery?

The Kremlin dismissed Zelensky’s genuine peace offer with a sarcastic response – “If he [Zelensky] wants to meet, he should come to Moscow.”

Zelensky’s peace offer was instantly shut down, even as Zelensky explained that many countries are willing to host the meeting between the leaders.

“After these 26 years, there is nothing for a Ukrainian leader to do in your capital – just as there is nothing for a Russian leader to do in Kyiv,” Zelensky concluded.