Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to a direct face-to-face meeting, publishing an open letter urging both leaders to negotiate an end to the war rather than wait for outside intervention.
“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy wrote. He suggested neutral venues such as Switzerland or Turkey for the talks.
The letter, exceeding 1,800 words, struck a defiant and at times mocking tone, as Zelenskyy referenced Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian territory, including a drone attack on St Petersburg’s outskirts, as “paying a visit.” He also observed that “after 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll” on Putin.
Ceasefire Demand and US Distraction
Zelenskyy also called for a full ceasefire throughout any proposed negotiations. However, Putin had already rejected that condition earlier on Thursday during a press conference at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he appeared unaware of the letter’s contents at the time of speaking.
Putin reiterated his longstanding demand that Ukraine withdraw from the four regions Russia largely occupies, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and abandon its NATO membership bid. He also raised doubts about Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as a negotiating partner, citing the absence of a presidential election since Zelensky’s term expired in May 2024. Ukraine suspended elections after declaring martial law following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Notably, Zelensky’ys letter acknowledged that Washington’s attention had shifted elsewhere. “It would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the centre of its attention,” he wrote, referencing US engagement with Iran.
Trump Backs a Meeting
US President Donald Trump expressed support for direct talks, saying, “I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done.” Trump added that he believed the US had helped bring both sides closer to peace, though he declined to specify what compromises he expected from each party.
The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter and said Putin would be briefed on its contents. As in previous instances, Moscow responded that Zelenskyy was welcome to travel to Moscow for talks.
Meanwhile, the conflict continued on the ground, with Russian-backed authorities in occupied Crimea blaming Ukraine for the deaths of four people in attacks on Simferopol, while Ukrainian officials reported at least four killed in a Russian strike on a food company near Kyiv on Friday.
