Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (June 23) that he did not see grounds for direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy given what he described as Kyiv's strikes on civilian targets.

Putin said that the open letter published by Zelenskiy on June 5 does not create preconditions for talks but is aimed to escalate conflict.

Zelenskiy published the open letter to Putin in which he proposed the two leaders meet to agree ‌on ⁠an end to the war, warning that Kyiv stood ready to fight on otherwise. He also taunted Putin, saying Russians were getting ⁠tired of both him and the war.

On June 5, during St. Petersburg Economic Forum Putin said Zelenskiy's letter was rude in parts and did not come across as a sincere offer to hold talks.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JUNE 23, 2026) (RUSSIAN POOL - Access all)

1. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SPEAKING TO GRADUATES FROM MILITARY AND SECURITY INSTITUTIONS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING (STARTS WITH VISION OF ONE OF THE GRADUATES): The letter, that Zelenskiy (published) and you called "a piece of paper" at St. Petersburg Economic Forum, does it create some preconditions for the talks?) No, such appeals do not create preconditions. What do they boil down to? On the contrary, they create some kind of conflict potential. He (Zelenskiy) sent this piece of paper, they always keep saying: "We want a personal meeting". So what? And three days later there is a strike on Starobilsk. How is that supposed to be understood? What grounds does that create for personal meetings and negotiations?"

3. PUTIN SPEAKING