Putin Rejects Zelenskyy Peace Talks Amid Rare Elite Criticism In Russia

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ST. PETERSBURG/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for direct peace talks Friday, even as rare public criticism emerged from members of Russia’s political and business elite over the direction of the country’s wartime economy.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said he saw “no sense” in a personal meeting with Zelenskyy, who had proposed a ceasefire and direct negotiations aimed at ending the war now entering its fifth year.

Putin criticized what he described as the “rude” tone of Zelenskyy’s open letter and questioned whether it was intended to facilitate negotiations.

The rejection came as European leaders sought ways to bring Moscow back to the negotiating table amid stalled U.S.-led peace efforts and continuing battlefield deadlock.

UKRAINE PEACE TALKS

Officials said the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany planned to meet Zelenskyy in London over the weekend to discuss possible ways of ending Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.

At the same forum, several prominent Russian officials and business leaders voiced unusual concerns about growing state control over the economy.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov warned that technological progress depends on freedom rather than excessive government direction, criticizing proposals that echo Soviet-era policies, including compulsory job assignments for graduates.

Shuvalov also expressed concern about discussions surrounding the possible revival of a tax on childlessness, a policy that existed during the rule of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

RUSSIAN ELITE CONCERNS

Additionally, senior lawmaker Andrey Makarov expressed concern about pressure on businesses from regulators and law-enforcement agencies, while Herman Gref, chief executive of state-controlled banking giant Sberbank, warned against pursuing what he called an “imagined sovereignty” instead of focusing on innovation and technological development.

The comments coincided with growing pressure on the Kremlin from Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia.

Ukrainian forces said they recently struck oil and military targets in the St. Petersburg area, just as the economic forum was underway in the Russian city, including facilities linked to Russia’s war effort.

Kyiv has intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in an effort to reduce revenue available for military operations and weaken Moscow’s ability to finance the war.

UKRAINE DRONE ATTACKS

Russian authorities reported drone activity around St. Petersburg during the forum, while Ukrainian officials said the attacks targeted infrastructure supporting Moscow’s military campaign.

Despite mounting losses on both sides and continued fighting along the front lines, Putin reiterated demands that Ukraine accept Russian conditions for peace, including recognition of Moscow’s control over occupied territories.

Ukraine has rejected those demands and continues to call for a ceasefire and negotiations based on internationally recognized borders.

“Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war,” Zelenskyy wrote in his appeal to Putin. “If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence.”

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