Zelensky says Russia is ‘choosing war again’ after Putin rejects face-to-face meeting

Key points

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of "choosing war again" after Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea of a direct meeting between the two leaders, saying he currently sees "no point" in such talks.
• The exchange marks a fresh escalation in rhetoric as efforts to find a diplomatic path out of the more than four-year-old conflict remain stalled.
• Putin rejects Zelensy's proposal Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Putin criticized a public letter Zelensky had written proposing a face-to-face meeting.
• Describing the letter as "boorish," Putin questioned whether it was intended to facilitate negotiations.
• "Is it a way to create conditions for personal meetings and talks, or create an environment which makes any personal meetings impossible?" Putin said.