Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting to end the war, stating that peace can only be achieved through direct engagement between the two countries.
In the letter, Zelensky argued that it would be 'wrong to simply wait' until the war in Europe regains the attention of the United States, and called for a full ceasefire during the proposed negotiations. Putin had ruled out such a ceasefire earlier on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump said he thought 'it would be great' if the two leaders met. The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter and said Putin would be briefed on its contents.
Speaking to foreign journalists in St. Petersburg, Putin, apparently unaware of the letter's details, stated he was 'certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine' but stressed the need for certain compromises.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ceasefire negotiations have stalled in recent months, following the onset of the Iran war and the failure of previous peace talks in Geneva, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul.
The letter, over 1,800 words long, includes Zelensky's plea: 'It is not as if we in Ukraine are concerned about the fate of Russian soldiers after everything your war has brought to our country. But I do care about Ukrainians. We are losing our people, and every loss is painful to us.'
Zelensky claimed that Russians have grown tired of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, fuel shortages, rising prices, and the war itself. He urged Putin: 'Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now.'
He proposed ending the war 'through direct engagement between us' and suggested that while the US is 'fully focused on the issue of Iran,' it would be wrong to wait for the war in Europe to return to the center of its attention. Possible venues for talks include Switzerland or Turkey.
The letter coincided with Putin's presence at an economic forum in St. Petersburg. The previous day, Kyiv launched a drone attack on the city's outskirts, which Zelensky referenced as 'paying a visit.'
Separately, Russian-backed authorities in occupied Crimea blamed Ukraine for the deaths of four people in attacks on Simferopol; Ukraine claimed it had hit a fuel depot.
During a press conference, Putin cast doubt on the feasibility of a meeting or deal, questioning whether Zelensky is a 'legitimate representative of Ukraine' and signaling his desire to control the entire Donbas region.
Zelensky retorted: 'You will not capture it [Donetsk].' Trump acknowledged Zelensky's letter and credited the US with bringing the sides closer to peace, urging both to make compromises.
Source: www.bbc.com