Putin says no to meet directly with Zelenskyy, reaffirms Russia wants comprehensive deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he sees no point of meeting Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy for face-to-face negotiations, and reaffirms that Moscow wants a comprehensive deal rather than a temporary ceasefire to end the four-year-old war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine renews attacks on St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, on Saturday morning, with no casualties reported.

Zelenskyy on Thursday sent an open letter to Putin as the Russian president was preparing to address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, writing it was "wrong" to simply wait for the war to become the focus of US attention once more. It was the first public message Zelenskyy has written directly to Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Zelenskyy requested a ceasefire in the letter and also struck a personal note with barbs about Putin's age and long stay in power.

Rebuffing Zelenskyy's call for a meeting, Putin calls the letter "rude" and slams Kyiv's May 22 drone attack on a college dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region that reportedly killed 21 people.

Putin claims the Ukrainian side's only purpose would be to stop the advances of Russian armed forces. But Russia expects a comprehensive deal, he stresses, "not for half a year, or three months but for a long historic perspective."

Zelenskyy on Friday accuses Russia of once again choosing war over peace.

He states in a video address Putin has no intention to change anything by rejecting the offer for a meeting, and that the Kremlin leader doesn't want to admit that his war pleases only him and those who profit from it.

Zelenskyy also reiterates appeal for the international society to ramp up sanctions, saying there must be "less money in Russia, and more pressure on Russia."

Meanwhile, he confirms that Kyiv has carried out strikes across multiple Russian regions overnight, reaching up to 1,000 kilometres deep into the country's naval arsenals and bases.

Residents of St. Petersburg are advised by authorities to stay indoors after a "large-scale" Ukrainian drone attack targeted the city on Saturday.

The regional governor says they have shot down 141 drones over the Leningrad region, while Russia's defence ministry announces downing 376 Ukrainian drones.