Putin Rejects Zelensky's Call for Direct Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the prospect of a personal meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, rejecting the Ukrainian leader's open letter proposing direct negotiations to end the war.

Putin said the letter contained crude remarks and did not represent a sincere offer for dialogue. He added that US President Donald Trump's proposals could bring the fighting to an end if Kyiv were prepared to compromise.

Putin made the remarks at an economic forum in Russia, where he also addressed energy markets. He said Russia was interested in balanced and stable oil prices and was working within the OPEC+ grouping to stabilize the market, adding that supply constraints were causing concern among traders.

The Russian president also raised the possibility of energy cooperation with the United States, saying it would be effective for the US to use Russian technologies to process liquefied natural gas in projects in Alaska.

(reuters, lud)