Putin says Zelensky meeting is 'meaningless' until peace deal is on the table

Jun 05 (Jowhar) - Vladimir Putin poured cold water on Volodymyr Zelensky's desire for direct talks, stating he sees 'no benefit' in a face-to-face meeting with the Ukrainian president until a peace agreement is on the table.

Speaking at Russia's largest economic forum in Saint Petersburg, the Russian president argued that any meeting is only meaningful if Ukraine first halts what he described as the advance of Russian forces.

His comments came a day after Mr. Zelensky published an open letter urging the two leaders to meet.

'I see no benefit in the meeting. It only makes sense if the Ukrainian side halts the advance of our troops. That's it. We need agreements,' Putin told the forum.

He stated that any foundational work should be left to experts before the leaders meet.

'Let the experts work, develop solutions, and then we can meet,' Putin added.

Putin also insisted that the conflict will only end when Moscow achieves its objectives.

'Military actions will end one day, as we believe. Undoubtedly, they will end when we achieve the goals we have set for ourselves,' Mr. Putin said.

Russia has demanded control over the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as well as broad political and military restrictions on Ukraine.

The European Union has previously supported Mr. Zelensky's call for direct talks in a letter he sent to Mr. Putin.

Mr. Zelensky suggested that the two leaders meet to agree on ending more than four years of conflict, warning that Kyiv is prepared to fight in other ways.

'We welcome President Zelensky's call for direct talks as well as his call for a ceasefire from our side, we will once again overcome the realities, and that is that Ukraine wants peace, Europe wants peace,' said EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

In his letter, which Mr. Zelensky's office said was also sent to other countries including the United States, the Ukrainian president argued that many Russians are tired of the pressures of war from Ukrainian missiles and drone attacks to inflation and fuel shortages - and they are ready for peace.