Putin: I do not find a meeting with Zelensky meaningful at this time

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and the proposal for talks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the conflict. Stating that he had superficially reviewed the letter written to him by Zelensky, Putin said, "I have reviewed the letter. There are some crude elements in the content of this letter. Is the goal to create an environment for a meeting or to create an environment where this meeting cannot take place? On one hand, Kyiv demands a meeting, while on the other, it commits terrible crimes such as the attack on Starobelsk. A meeting with Zelensky could only be possible after certain agreements are reached. I do not find a meeting meaningful at this time."

Continuing his remarks, Putin argued that permanent agreements must be made to end the conflict, stating, "Russia does not need a short-term cessation of the conflict, but agreements based on a long-term and historical perspective."

"We are advancing"

Rejecting Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal for a one-on-one meeting, Putin also addressed the Russian army, saying, "That letter states that our goal is to liberate the Donbas. However, it claims that this will never be achieved. Does Kyiv not know that the entirety of Luhansk has been under Russian control since the beginning of this year? Does it not know that the area under the control of the Kyiv army in Donetsk is below 15 percent? We are advancing. I have no doubt that we will achieve this. Keep working, my brothers."

"We are still continuing to supply uranium to the US market"

Speaking about the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries due to the war in Ukraine, Putin argued that they have not been isolated from the world economy, stating, "There has been no international isolation against Russia from the beginning. There were only efforts toward this during the Joe Biden era. We are still continuing to supply uranium to the US market. No project that is in the interest of the US has stopped."

Stating that the battle for sovereignty is gaining momentum in the world, Vladimir Putin said, "The race for sovereignty is accelerating as countries try to secure their places in a rapidly changing world. Despite the difficult international environment, Russia is strengthening its sovereignty, expanding its partnerships, and consolidating its position on the global stage."

Putin also expressed that pressure is being put on India, which has good trade relations with Russia, but that India is not bowing to it, while noting that Russia's public debt is at the 16 percent level, whereas Europe has a public debt of around 80 percent.

News Source: 12punto