Putin tells European leaders he will only meet with Zelensky to sign peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated he will only meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country to sign a peace agreement. This was communicated during a phone call with Finnish and Norwegian leaders. Putin's advisor, Yuri Ushakov, clarified that the meeting would not involve negotiations but rather the signing of documents to end the war. He emphasized that if Zelensky wishes to negotiate directly, he should come to Moscow. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed Zelensky's interest in a meeting, but skepticism remains among other European leaders regarding engaging with Putin. Stubb clarified that their conversation was not a peace mediation but a way to convey Ukraine's message to Putin.