Putin slams Zelenskyy's 'rude' letter to him over Ukraine talks, praises Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's open appeal for face-to-face talks, saying the letter contained "rude" remarks and reflected Kyiv's double standards on peace negotiations. He also commended US President Donald Trump for his efforts to broker an end to the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's open letter proposing direct talks to end the four-year-old war, calling parts of it "rude" and accusing Kyiv of double standards over peace negotiations. He also praised US President Donald Trump for his efforts to advance a settlement to the conflict.
Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) moderated by India Today's Geeta Mohan, Putin questioned why Ukraine continues to depend on US military aid, while opposing a greater US role in guaranteeing any future peace deal.
"Reliable guarantors are welcome. But why deny this role to the American administration and to Donald Trump in particular? I don't understand it. They want to receive weapons from the US, but they do not want to see the US administration and President Trump as guarantors," he said.
Putin said Trump had publicly challenged Zelenskyy on several occasions and had attempted to steer discussions towards a negotiated solution.
"We saw Donald (Trump) instructing and pointing things out to Zelenskyy... On the whole, I would like to thank Donald for this work. It is useful. But there are other things that need to be done and this work must continue," he said.
Responding to a question from Geeta Mohan, Putin referred to an open letter published by Zelenskyy proposing direct talks and said he saw little point in a face-to-face meeting at present. "Zelenskyy asked for a meeting. I never refuse to meet. But meeting just for the sake of meeting, I've seen that before," he said.
The Russian President also revealed that he had briefly reviewed Zelenskyy's letter after being informed about it by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. According to Putin, parts of the letter appeared rude and were unlikely to create conditions conducive to meaningful negotiations.
"This letter contains some rather rude remarks. Was it intended to create conditions for a face-to-face meeting, or was it intended to avoid one? I think it was the second," Putin said.
Addressing another aspect of the letter, Putin noted that Zelenskyy had referred to his age and political future. He dismissed age as a determining factor in leadership.
"Age is important, but it is not the most important thing. What matters is whether a person is capable of functioning properly and doing their job," he said, in a swipe at Zelenskyy. He added that many political leaders older than him continue to perform their duties energetically.
Putin also took aim at Zelenskyy's decision to postpone Ukraine elections following the breakout of the war, saying political leaders should seek legitimacy through constitutional processes rather than remain in office indefinitely.
Elections were set to be held in 2024 but are now on hold following Russia's invasion of the country in February 2022.
Referring to Zelenskyy's appeal for talks, Putin said, "One should not be afraid to run for office and seek a mandate from the people." He added that "staying in power outside the constitutional framework amounts to usurpation of power," a remark that appeared directed at Kyiv's suspension of elections under martial law.
The Russian President asserted that Zelenskyy had earlier indicated elections would be held but had since gone quiet on the issue.
WHAT ZELENSKYY SAID IN OPEN LETTER TO PUTIN
Zelenskyy on Thursday wrote an open letter to Putin, urging him to agree to direct talks and end the war. Calling for a leaders' summit in a neutral country such as Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab state, Zelenskyy proposed a full ceasefire during negotiations and an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange as a confidence-building measure.
"The choice is yours now. Enough of war. Ukraine proposes to end this war," Zelenskyy wrote, arguing that the conflict had caused immense suffering and that only direct engagement between the two leaders could help resolve it.
The Ukrainian President also suggested that the US and Europe act as guarantors of any future peace agreement, while stressing that Kyiv remained committed to diplomacy even as it continued to defend itself militarily. He warned that prolonging the conflict would only deepen Russia's economic and political challenges.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's open letter proposing direct talks to end the four-year-old war, calling parts of it "rude" and accusing Kyiv of double standards over peace negotiations. He also praised US President Donald Trump for his efforts to advance a settlement to the conflict.
Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) moderated by India Today's Geeta Mohan, Putin questioned why Ukraine continues to depend on US military aid, while opposing a greater US role in guaranteeing any future peace deal.
"Reliable guarantors are welcome. But why deny this role to the American administration and to Donald Trump in particular? I don't understand it. They want to receive weapons from the US, but they do not want to see the US administration and President Trump as guarantors," he said.
Putin said Trump had publicly challenged Zelenskyy on several occasions and had attempted to steer discussions towards a negotiated solution.
"We saw Donald (Trump) instructing and pointing things out to Zelenskyy... On the whole, I would like to thank Donald for this work. It is useful. But there are other things that need to be done and this work must continue," he said.
Responding to a question from Geeta Mohan, Putin referred to an open letter published by Zelenskyy proposing direct talks and said he saw little point in a face-to-face meeting at present. "Zelenskyy asked for a meeting. I never refuse to meet. But meeting just for the sake of meeting, I've seen that before," he said.
The Russian President also revealed that he had briefly reviewed Zelenskyy's letter after being informed about it by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. According to Putin, parts of the letter appeared rude and were unlikely to create conditions conducive to meaningful negotiations.
"This letter contains some rather rude remarks. Was it intended to create conditions for a face-to-face meeting, or was it intended to avoid one? I think it was the second," Putin said.
Addressing another aspect of the letter, Putin noted that Zelenskyy had referred to his age and political future. He dismissed age as a determining factor in leadership.
"Age is important, but it is not the most important thing. What matters is whether a person is capable of functioning properly and doing their job," he said, in a swipe at Zelenskyy. He added that many political leaders older than him continue to perform their duties energetically.
Putin also took aim at Zelenskyy's decision to postpone Ukraine elections following the breakout of the war, saying political leaders should seek legitimacy through constitutional processes rather than remain in office indefinitely.
Elections were set to be held in 2024 but are now on hold following Russia's invasion of the country in February 2022.
Referring to Zelenskyy's appeal for talks, Putin said, "One should not be afraid to run for office and seek a mandate from the people." He added that "staying in power outside the constitutional framework amounts to usurpation of power," a remark that appeared directed at Kyiv's suspension of elections under martial law.
The Russian President asserted that Zelenskyy had earlier indicated elections would be held but had since gone quiet on the issue.
WHAT ZELENSKYY SAID IN OPEN LETTER TO PUTIN
Zelenskyy on Thursday wrote an open letter to Putin, urging him to agree to direct talks and end the war. Calling for a leaders' summit in a neutral country such as Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab state, Zelenskyy proposed a full ceasefire during negotiations and an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange as a confidence-building measure.
"The choice is yours now. Enough of war. Ukraine proposes to end this war," Zelenskyy wrote, arguing that the conflict had caused immense suffering and that only direct engagement between the two leaders could help resolve it.
The Ukrainian President also suggested that the US and Europe act as guarantors of any future peace agreement, while stressing that Kyiv remained committed to diplomacy even as it continued to defend itself militarily. He warned that prolonging the conflict would only deepen Russia's economic and political challenges.
