Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for a direct meeting, calling the idea pointless amid ongoing hostilities. In a letter sent on June 5, 2026, Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s long rule and referenced his age, prompting Putin to label the message 'boorish' during a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Putin revealed that a Russian businessman recently met Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss a potential summit, but said the idea holds no value after a May 22 Ukrainian drone strike on a dormitory in Russian-controlled Luhansk killed 21 people.

The Russian leader reiterated his demand for a comprehensive peace deal, not a ceasefire, based on agreements discussed during his 2025 summit with U.S. President Trump in Anchorage. He emphasized that Ukraine must accept those terms for negotiations to proceed. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy acknowledged shifting U.S. priorities, noting that Washington is focused on the Iran conflict and not fully engaged in pushing for peace in Ukraine.

Putin also used the forum to critique Western economic policies, blaming unilateral sanctions for eroding trust in the dollar and euro. He argued that the global order is shifting toward multipolarity, with Russia positioning itself as a pragmatic player. Despite Ukrainian drone attacks on St. Petersburg just before the forum, Putin claimed Russia is advancing its war goals 'calmly and resolutely' and pledged to strengthen air defenses.