Putin rejects request to meet Zelensky
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said that it was unlikely that such a meeting could occur by the end of August, as Ukraine has proposed.
He added: 'A summit meeting can and should put an end to the settlement and formalise the modalities and agreements that are to be worked out in the course of expert work.
'It is impossible to do the opposite. Is it possible to complete such a complex process in 30 days? Obviously, it is unlikely.'
The remarks came after Mr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, proposed a four-way summit with Russia, the United States and Turkey to progress Donald Trump's efforts to end the three-year war.
Earlier this week, Mr Zelensky said negotiation to bring an end to the conflict 'probably begins with a meeting of leaders. It won't work any other way with them'.
It is thought that Putin is holding out on any settlement while his armed forces are on the ascendency on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The situation for Kyiv's troops defending the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donetsk region, was becoming increasingly perilous, analysts said.
Meanwhile, Moscow continues to reject Ukrainian and US proposals of an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire, which could pave the way for more substantial peace talks.
Russia has been holding out in three rounds of direct talks with Ukrainian officials with demands Kyiv says are unacceptable, such as withdrawing troops from four regions partially occupied by Moscow.
Mr Trump said a meeting between Mr Zelensky and Putin was three months overdue, before boarding a flight to Scotland on Friday.
'It's going to happen. But it should have happened three months ago. It's going to happen,' he said.
Mr Trump added that the 100 per cent tariffs on Russia, and its allies purchasing Moscow's fossil fuels, could come sooner than the 50-day deadline set earlier this month.
Mr Zelensky is attempting to steel himself for a long war by convincing European allies to help finance increased wages for his soldiers.
He is also trying to convince allies to deliver seven Patriot air-defence systems – more than the five already agreed between Germany and the US.
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