'Response' to Zelensky’s letter, economic growth under sanctions: Putin’s SPIEF statements

ST. PETERSBURG, June 5. /TASS/. During a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russian President Vladimir Putin "responded" to a recent so-called open letter from Vladimir Zelensky with an address to Russian troops on the front lines, concluding his response with the words "Keep working, brothers!"

The West’s short-sighted sanctions policy is working in Russia’s favor, the president noted.

Vladimir Zelensky’s rude letter can be seen as creating conditions that preclude a face-to-face meeting: "And this letter does indeed contain elements of rudeness. What is this? Is this a way to create conditions for face-to-face meetings and talks? Or is it creating a situation in which it is actually impossible to hold any face-to-face meetings at all?"

Kiev has deemed it possible to move to a public debate, which is "not quite right, or completely wrong."

The leader of the Kiev regime must not be afraid to go to the polls, but must not usurp power: "One must not be afraid to go to the polls and must always act within the framework of the Constitution. Otherwise, it is called usurpation of power, which is a criminal offense."

"The author of the letter mentioned my age. What can I say? Of course, everyone should think about their age. But it seems to me that many other political figures are carrying out their duties at my age. Some are even older than I am. What matters most for a politician is not age, but capacity and ability to perform."

Zelensky wants to receive weapons from the US, but at the same time does not want to see US President Donald Trump as a guarantor of agreements between Russia and Ukraine; this "raises questions": "Surely, reliable guarantors are always welcome, but it's unclear why he refuses to accept the US administration and President Trump in that role."

Moscow and Kiev should resolve key issues on Ukraine, while other countries can "serve as guarantors."

Everyone saw how President Trump "took it upon himself to educate" Zelensky. One can only thank him for his "work" on Zelensky’s manners, but "there is still work to be done."

Zelensky recently requested a meeting through a Russian businessman. "We have never refused to meet with Zelensky, but there is no need to "pour from an empty vessel into an empty one." Before a summit on Ukraine, solutions to the situation must be found; until then, Russia "does not see the point" in such a meeting.

The Kiev regime wants a meeting only to "stop the advance of our armed forces."

In response to Zelensky’s letter, the president addressed the Russian militar