War in Ukraine: Vladimir Putin refuses Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting proposal

Status quo. President Vladimir Putin rejected, on Friday June 5, the idea of ​​a face-to-face meeting proposed by his Ukrainian counterpart until a final agreement has been negotiated in advance to end the war in Ukraine.

“I don’t see the point of a meeting. This is only in the interest of the Ukrainian side in order to stop the advance of our armed forces”affirmed Vladimir Putin from the International Economic Forum, where he was expected to discuss the economic difficulties encountered by his country sanctioned by the West because of the conflict in Ukraine, in which the front is in reality largely frozen.

The Ukrainian president reacted in the evening to Vladimir Putin’s statements, affirming that “The Russian side has again chosen war.” “Everyone heard today’s response. A weak response. He just doesn’t want to end the war”he criticized in a message on social networks.

Russian power is demanding political and territorial concessions from the Ukrainian government, including a complete withdrawal from the Donetsk region in the east. Demands rejected by kyiv, which equates them with capitulation. For its part, Ukraine has long requested an extended ceasefire to promote negotiations. But Moscow rejects this idea, arguing, among other things, that a longer pause would allow the Ukrainian army to strengthen.