Putin has refused Zelenskyy’s call for a direct face-to-face meeting, saying there is “no point” in talks for now. The rejection comes as Ukraine pushes for negotiations backed by key European allies, while Russia continues launching major missile and drone attacks across Ukrainian territory.
The refusal has raised fresh concerns that Moscow is not ready to seriously negotiate an end to the war. Zelenskyy has been calling for direct talks in an effort to secure a ceasefire, but Putin’s response leaves diplomacy stalled while the fighting continues.
For Europe, the danger is growing harder to ignore. Leaders in Britain, France and Germany have backed Ukraine’s push for direct dialogue, but they are also warning that Europe must strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and prepare for a longer, more dangerous conflict.
The war is no longer being treated as a distant crisis on the edge of the continent. With Russian attacks intensifying, Ukrainian infrastructure under constant threat, and nearby nations warning of wider risks, Europe is being forced to confront the possibility that this conflict could move even closer to its own borders.
Putin’s refusal to meet Zelenskyy does more than delay peace talks. It sends a clear message that Russia is not yet prepared to step back, leaving Ukraine under pressure and Europe facing one of its biggest security tests in decades.