Putin rejects Zelensky meeting call to discuss war's end
The Kremlin wants a draft agreement first, while Zelensky says the refusal shows Russia chooses to keep fighting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's invitation to meet in person to discuss an end to the war. Putin said a face-to-face meeting is not useful at this stage and that what is needed is an agreement drafted first by experts. He made the remarks a day after Zelensky released an open letter asking Putin to meet and to “not be afraid to take the way out of the war.” Putin also described part of the letter as rude and insincere. In response, Zelensky said Russia's reply shows Moscow does not want to end the war. Putin added that military action will continue until Russia's goals are achieved, though he had previously left open the possibility of a meeting in a third country if there is a document ready to be signed.