Putin rules out Zelensky's offer to meet and vows to pursue war goals
Vladimir Putin rejected Volodymyr Zelensky's offer of a face-to-face meeting and a ceasefire, vowing to pursue Russia's war goals. On the same day, the US House passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia. European capitals are weighing additional weapons support for Kyiv.
Photo: Nadin Nandin / PexelsAccording to France 24, Vladimir Putin used a speech at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday to flatly reject Volodymyr Zelensky's offer of a face-to-face meeting and a "full ceasefire," saying Russia would press on with military operations until its "war goals" are met. The remarks followed an open letter Zelensky published the day before.
On the same day, the US House of Representatives passed a bill providing support for Ukraine and imposing new sanctions on Russia. Reports indicate the package targets energy, financial and technology sectors; the Senate is expected to take it up shortly. European Union officials say technical work on Brussels' nineteenth sanctions package is continuing.
European capitals are weighing additional air-defence and long-range munitions for Kyiv. Officials from Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland announced reinforcements along NATO's eastern flank. Analysts told reporters that Putin's rejection effectively closes formal diplomatic channels in the near term, although back-channel contacts could continue.
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