Ukraine early today staged a massive attack on Russia hours after Vladimir Putin snubbed Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for face-to-face talks to end the war. The Kremlin dictator, 73, accused his adversary of ‘rudeness’ in alluding to his ‘old age’ in an open letter.

By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 4 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin faced two rival outlines of Russia's future on Thursday as he hosted his premier annual investment conference with the war in Ukraine unabated.

At the St. Petersburg economic forum, business and political elites said Russia faced a choice of halting the conflict or sacrificing more. Vladimir Putin seemed to signal more war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed ‌about an open letter from Ukrainian President ​Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday, according ​to state news agency TASS.

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Vladimir Putin that he faces a fight for his survival in Russia if he does not agree to end the war.

On Wednesday, they met at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as smoke from Ukrainian drone attacks rose across the city.

Russia’s economic forecast is gloomy, with slow growth predicted for 2026. Economic forecasts range from around 0.8% to 1.1% of GDP, according to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, respectively.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin rebuffed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for a face-to-face meeting, saying there was “no point.”