Zelensky proposed talks with Putin, who questioned "what's there to talk about" with Ukraine

On June 4, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said Russia's extreme demands made it pointless to continue low-level talks aimed at bringing an end to the war. Zelensky called Russia's peace conditions an "ultimatum" and said he remained open to meeting directly with President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky has pressed Putin in recent days and launched two daring attacks on Russian targets, dealing an embarrassing setback to the Kremlin. In a video conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly questioned the meaning of peace talks with Ukraine, accusing top leaders in Kiev of ordering deadly terrorist attacks on bridges in Russia. Mr. Putin said the attack on the Bryansk bridge and another in Kursk, apparently targeting civilians, proved that the government in Kiev was "degenerating into a terrorist organization whose supporters are becoming accomplices of terrorists." "The current regime in Kiev does not need peace at all," Mr. Putin said. "What is there to talk about?" "How can we negotiate with those who rely on terrorism?"