MOSCOW/VIENNA – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he does not see the point in a personal meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky published a letter on Thursday proposing a face-to-face meeting with Putin, with the participation of Europe and the United States, to discuss the peace process.

"I don't see the point yet," Putin said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, answering a question about whether he would meet with the author of the "open letter."

He added that he never refused to meet with Zelensky, but is against "beating around the bush."

Putin said Russia does not need short-term agreements, but rather ones "for a long historical perspective" and solutions in place before such a meeting can take place.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Putin says Russia ready for peace deal with Ukraine
• Kremlin welcomes EU discussions on dialogue with Russia
• Russia, Ukraine agree to 3-day ceasefire, prisoner exchange
• Russia, Ukraine swap 205 prisoners of war each

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Zelensky can come to Moscow any time if he wishes to hold talks with Putin.

IAEA chief urges adherence to ceasefire near Zaporizhzhia

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the localized ceasefire on Friday, after Russian personnel were reportedly injured near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

The IAEA said it has been informed that some Russian military personnel were injured during Friday's de-mining phase of the agreed localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier on Friday, the IAEA announced the start of a localized ceasefire it brokered between Ukraine and Russia on the front line near the Zaporizhzhia NPP, enabling repairs to the plant's crucial power line.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the restoration of the off-site power line would be an important and positive step for nuclear safety, which is in everybody's vital interest.

According to the IAEA, the incident is currently being investigated, and the Ukrainian side said it remains committed to the ceasefire.