VLADIMIR Putin has again refused to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky as he ordered his troops to unleash another deadly blitz on civilians.
At least six Ukrainians were killed in the horror Russian strikes which targeted a high rise building and left a shopping mall up in flames.
The sickening strikes hit a Novodvoryansky residential complex in Dnipro city, killing one man and injuring a woman in a huge explosion.
Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv was struck with aerial bombs, drones and missiles in three hours of hell.
Kamianske was also invaded by a swarm of 35 drones with the Epicentre shopping centre being impacted and sending civilians fleeing.
The terrifying night of strikes came just after Zelensky issued a challenge to Putin urging him to finally discuss a peace deal in person.
It would be the first meeting of the pair since Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022.
US President Donald Trump even told reporters on Friday that the pair would definitely meet soon.
He said: “It’s going to happen, but it should have happened 3 months ago.”
However, the Kremlin swiftly dismissed the idea, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that a meeting will not occur unless a peace agreement is prepared to be finalized.
This isn’t likely to happen until the end of August at the earliest, he added.
Peskov stated: “A summit meeting [involving Putin] can and should conclude the settlement and formalize the modalities and agreements that are to be developed during expert negotiations.
“It is impossible to do the opposite. Is it possible to complete such a complex process in 30 days? Obviously, it is unlikely.”
Zelensky has previously proposed a four-way summit which also involves the US and Turkey.
The US has also said an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire could be put in place to help pave the way for a long-standing deal.
Moscow has rejected both proposals.
Many experts believe that a scheming Putin is holding out as long as he can so his forces can seize more land in Ukraine.
Vlad can then go to the negotiating table in a stronger position.
Despite his refusal to stop the bloodshed, pressure is still mounting on the tyrant to end the war in Ukraine.
President Trump issued a blistering 50-day ultimatum to Russia earlier this month saying he must agree to a ceasefire of face crippling sanctions.
