Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy’s open letter urging face-to-face talks to end the ongoing war with a statement that he currently saw no reason to meet with the Kyiv leader.
Zelenskyy, in his letter, said the majority of Russians had grown tired of Ukraine’s strikes, high inflation and fuel shortages, and were ready for peace. He warned Putin that continuing the war could threaten his own position, stating that history had shown that when Russia got tired, change followed.
“This letter contains some rather rude remarks. Was it a way to create the conditions for a face-to-face meeting or a way not to set up a face-to-face meeting? I think it was the latter,” Putin said at an annual economic forum.
The Russian President was also noticeably careful in not mentioning Zelenksyy by name, rather referring to him as “the letter’s author”.
“I don’t see the point in meeting; the only point is for the Ukrainian side to halt the advance of our armed forces. But we need agreements – not for six months, not for three months, but for the long term,” said Putin when asked whether he would meet Zelenskyy.
He further added, “Let the experts get to work and come up with some solutions. After that, we can meet.”
Russian war bloggers also criticised the letter as a public relations stunt intended to create discontent inside Russia rather than end the war. However, some of Russia’s richest businessmen had also complained about high interest rates and economic stagnation due to the war at the same forum where Putin gave his response.
Zelenskyy commented on Putin’s response in his nightly video address, accusing Moscow of not wanting to end the war.
“Unfortunately, the Russian side is once again choosing war – everyone heard the response. A weak response. I think this response will have disappointed many in the world,” he said.
