Putin refuses talks with Zelenskyy, Kremlin says
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to hold negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Kremlin announced on Saturday. The decision comes amid ongoing hostilities and no clear path to a ceasefire.
The Refusal
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin will not engage in talks with Zelenskyy, citing what Moscow calls Kyiv's unwillingness to compromise. The statement was issued on June 13, 2026, without specifying any new conditions for resuming dialogue.
Previous Negotiations
The last round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul in March 2022. Since then, diplomatic efforts have stalled, with both sides trading blame for the lack of progress. International mediators, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have failed to bring the parties back to the table.
Putin's St. Petersburg Remarks
Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that military operations would cease only when Moscow has achieved its goals. He dismissed the possibility of a meeting with Zelenskyy, asserting that there was no point in negotiations.
Zelenskyy's Third Trump Meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his third meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump this year, which resulted in no promise of long-range U.S. missiles and no invitation to Trump's planned talks with Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
What's Next
The UN Security Council is set to discuss the situation on Monday. It remains unclear whether any third-party initiative can revive negotiations in the near term.
3 sources
Putin refuses talks with Zelenskyy, Kremlin says
