Wed Jan 29 08:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Putin Rejects Direct Talks With Zelenskyy, Ukraine Accuses Him of Fear
**KYIV/MOSCOW** – Tensions escalated in the nearly three-year-old Ukraine war as Russian President Vladimir Putin again ruled out direct peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, dismissing him as illegitimate. Zelenskyy retorted that Putin is afraid of negotiations.
In a statement to Russian state television on January 28, Putin reiterated his refusal to engage directly with Zelenskyy, whose term, according to Putin, expired last May. He suggested talks could proceed through representatives, but insisted on avoiding direct engagement with the Ukrainian president.
Zelenskyy, in a social media post, countered that Putin’s actions demonstrate a fear of negotiations and a desire to prolong the conflict. He accused Putin of seeking either continued large-scale killing or a temporary pause to prepare for a renewed invasion.
The exchange came amid increased drone attacks on Russian territory. Multiple regions, including areas near Moscow and a nuclear power plant in Smolensk, reported Ukrainian drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure on January 28-29. Russia claimed to have shot down numerous drones, while Ukraine confirmed some strikes. The incidents caused temporary flight disruptions at several Russian airports.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of severe economic sanctions against Russia if it doesn’t negotiate have been met with a shrug from the Kremlin. These threats, coupled with reports of behind-the-scenes diplomatic activity, have fueled speculation about potential breakthroughs, even amid Ukraine’s continuing setbacks on the battlefield and ongoing personnel recruitment challenges. Zelenskyy, in a recent interview, expressed cautious optimism regarding Trump’s pressure on Moscow, but also noted concerns about the specifics of Trump’s approach.
The situation in Serbia also saw developments, with Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigning amid ongoing mass protests sparked by a deadly railway station collapse in Novi Sad. The protests, involving students and farmers, demand accountability for the tragedy, which many attribute to corruption and negligence. President Aleksandar Vucic will decide within 10 days whether to call snap elections or form a new government.
In Ukraine, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov faces a criminal probe following a dispute over procurement procedures, leading to the dismissal of several officials within the Defense Ministry. The events underscore ongoing efforts to reform the defense procurement system amidst the ongoing war.
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