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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for a direct meeting, characterizing Zelenskyy's open letter as "boorish" and stating there is "no point" to such a discussion. Putin made these remarks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, responding to Zelenskyy's first public message directly to Putin since the 2022 invasion.

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Is it a way to create conditions for personal meetings and talks, or create an environment which makes any personal meetings impossible? I think it’s the second.

Zelenskyy's letter offered a sweeping critique of Putin's 26-year rule and included taunts about his age. Putin, 73, countered by pointing to other older global leaders, asserting that "the main thing isn't age; the main thing is the ability to work." He also referenced a Russian businessman who met with Zelenskyy to convey the meeting offer, but ultimately saw no value in it, especially after a May 22 drone attack in Luhansk that Moscow claims killed 21 people.

Putin further mocked Zelenskyy's 2025 Oval Office meeting and thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for "educating" Zelenskyy "before the eyes of the whole world." He suggested that more work is needed, implying Zelenskyy still has much to learn.

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the main thing isn't age; the main thing is the ability to work.

Zelenskyy, acknowledging shifting U.S. priorities, expressed concern about solely relying on a potential future Trump administration to end the conflict. While Trump stated a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy "would be great," Putin reiterated his stance that a meeting requires a deal to sign and rejected Zelenskyy's push for an immediate ceasefire. Putin indicated Russia seeks a comprehensive settlement aligned with understandings from his 2025 summit with Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, suggesting Ukraine must accept these compromises to end the war.

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it “would be great” if Putin and Zelenskyy meet.