Zelenskiy invites Putin to direct talks in open letter, proposes full ceasefire during negotiations

The letter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy published an open letter to President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, proposing the two leaders meet directly to end more than four years of war. The letter, sent through both public and diplomatic channels, was also distributed to other countries including the United States. Zelenskiy wrote that the majority of Russians had grown tired of Ukrainian missile and drone attacks, inflation and fuel shortages, and were ready for peace.

Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now.

Zelenskiy proposed setting a clear date for a meeting and named Switzerland, Turkey and the countries of the Arab world as potential hosts. He called for a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations, describing it as standard practice, and said the United States had the capability to monitor a ceasefire along the line where hostilities stop. The letter also demanded a complete prisoner exchange and the return of abducted Ukrainian children.

The Kremlin response

In Moscow, the Kremlin confirmed it had seen the letter and that Putin would be briefed. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the topic would likely come up during the plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where Putin was scheduled to speak on Friday. The Kremlin restated its standing offer for Zelenskiy to come to Moscow for talks, a proposal Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

Putin, speaking shortly before the letter's publication, said Russia was ready to reach an agreement with Ukraine but insisted the basis must be the Anchorage understandings from his meeting with US President Donald Trump last summer. He also reiterated that full Russian control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions was a precondition for peace. Putin claimed Russian forces were making constant territorial gains, citing 2,440 square kilometres captured, a figure far above Kyiv's estimate of roughly 700 square kilometres since the start of the year.

We are undoubtedly ready to reach an agreement with Ukraine.

The St. Petersburg backdrop

The letter landed as Putin prepared to address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an event the Kremlin uses to project economic strength despite a growth slump and persistent Western sanctions. Hours before the forum opened, Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal in the St. Petersburg port, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky as 20,000 guests from 130 countries arrived. The attack disrupted flights and underscored Ukraine's ability to hit targets deep inside Russian territory.

Putin used his forum appearance to accuse European elites of deliberately provoking instability and drawing more countries into chaos. He declared the transition to a multipolar world order irreversible, noting that the G7's contribution to global economic growth now trails that of the BRICS nations. On the battlefield, he insisted Russia had the upper hand and was making steady gains, while Ukraine faced a shortage of soldiers.

International reactions

US President Donald Trump, asked about the letter at the White House, said he would welcome a meeting between Putin and Zelenskiy and that the two leaders should simply get together and settle it. The German government welcomed Zelenskiy's initiative, with deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille saying Berlin shared the view that European and US representatives should be involved in talks with Russia. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also pressed Putin to enter negotiations.

It would be fantastic if the two leaders, who are very good people, would meet soon. They should just get it sorted out.

Zelenskiy's letter also addressed the US focus on the conflict with Iran, arguing that Ukraine should not simply wait for the war in Europe to return to the centre of American attention. He rejected the Anchorage framework, writing that questions affecting Europe and Ukraine would not be decided in Alaska.

The domestic pressure on Putin

Zelenskiy's letter pointed to growing war fatigue inside Russia, where citizens in Moscow and St. Petersburg now live under threat of Ukrainian drones and missiles. He cited Ukrainian intelligence figures showing Russia lost over 30,000 soldiers in May alone, both dead and wounded. The letter also invoked the 2023 Wagner rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin and warned Putin that Russian history showed change comes when the country grows tired.

It is a fact of Russian history that you know well: when Russia grows tired, change comes.

Separately, the US House of Representatives passed legislation on Thursday providing billions in aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, with support from 18 Republicans. The Senate and President Trump could still block the measure, but the vote signalled a shift in sentiment in Washington back toward Kyiv.