KYIV — Vladimir Putin brushed off Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plea to meet him for talks, as he bashed the Ukrainian president’s manners.
“I had a glance at [a letter]. The author of this letter mentions my age. Some of the [world leaders] are older than me. The most important thing is whether you can do your job properly,” said the Russian leader during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday.
Zelenskyy sent an open letter to Putin on Thursday, urging him to meet to end the Russia-Ukraine war along the current contact line, insisting this is in Putin’s interests, as his economy is struggling and his military losses are mounting for limited gains.
“There is growing fatigue with Russia — even among those in the wider world who help you bypass sanctions and keep your economy afloat. After 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll. And with time, the fatigue with you will only grow,” wrote Zelenskyy.
Putin said he has never rejected a meeting but that proper arrangements need to be made first, based on what he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska last year, where the American leader reportedly agreed Ukraine should give up Donbas to stop the war.
The Kremlin has since demanded Ukraine withdraw from four regions Moscow has proclaimed as Russian — without fully controlling them.
“We have heard that you were promised in Alaska the resolution of certain issues concerning Ukraine and Europe. But you can see that Ukrainian and European issues are not decided in Anchorage,” noted Zelenskyy in his letter.
Putin stated that only Ukraine is currently interested in meetings, as it wants to stop the Russian offensive. He then exhorted his troops in Ukraine, saying: “Keep working, brothers.”
Reacting to the Russian leader’s remarks, Zelenskyy said in a statement Friday evening, “Unfortunately, Russia once again chooses war. He just does not want to end it. Many will be disappointed by this weak response … So it means Russia needs to have less money and more pressure on it.”
Ukraine has countered Putin’s full-scale invasion by targeting oil refineries across Russia in a bid to inflict damage on the Kremlin’s war chest.
