Zelenskyy invites Putin to direct peace talks, proposes neutral-ground meeting
In an open letter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet on neutral ground for direct negotiations to end the war, proposing a full ceasefire for the duration of talks.
The open letter
On 4 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing personal talks in a neutral third country to clarify key questions and end over four years of war. The letter, which was also sent through official diplomatic channels and shared with other nations including the United States, calls for a complete ceasefire while negotiations take place. Zelenskyy warned that if Putin does not personally decide to end the war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence.
Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the letter as a serious and meaningful proposal with clear, doable steps, adding an expectation of a meaningful response.
It's time to end this war. It's time to choose peace.
Military and political backdrop
The letter arrived hours after Ukrainian drone strikes hit the St. Petersburg oil terminal and a Russian warship, disrupting air traffic on the morning of 3 June before the opening of the city's International Economic Forum. The attacks underscored Ukraine's ability to strike deep inside Russia. A day later, the US House of Representatives passed a bill including billions in aid for Ukraine and fresh sanctions on Russia, with support from 18 Republicans, though the Senate and President Trump could still block it. Trump himself said he would welcome a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy.
- Ukrainian drones strike St. Petersburg oil terminal and a Russian warship, disrupting air traffic hours before the city's International Economic Forum.
- Zelenskyy publishes an open letter to Putin, proposing direct talks, a ceasefire during negotiations, and a meeting on neutral ground.
- The US House passes a bill including billions in Ukraine aid and sanctions on Russia, with 18 Republican votes.
- Trump says he would welcome a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy.
- Kremlin spokesman Peskov says Putin will address the letter at the St. Petersburg forum; Russia repeats demands for Donbass.
- German government, EU, and Macron welcome the letter, insisting on European and US involvement in any talks.
Moscow's response
The Kremlin acknowledged receiving the letter, and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would address it during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg forum on 5 June. Moscow renewed its standing offer for negotiations in Moscow and restated its demand for full control of Ukraine's Donbass region as a precondition for peace. Putin, speaking at the forum, insisted that the problems lie with the Ukrainian side and projected confidence amid Russia's economic contraction and Western sanctions.
Western welcome
Germany's deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille welcomed the letter but stressed Russia must show genuine readiness to negotiate, which he said was not yet in sight. He added that any talks must involve Europe and the United States. EU spokeswoman Anitta Hipper echoed the call, stating that Ukraine and Europe want peace. French President Emmanuel Macron, attending an EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, called the letter a good initiative.
We welcome President Zelenskyy's call for direct negotiations and the demand for a ceasefire – and for our part we will once again set out the facts, namely that Ukraine wants peace and Europe wants peace.
What comes next
Zelenskyy did not set a date for a meeting but named Switzerland, Turkey, and the Arab world as potential neutral hosts. He noted that the United States has the capability to monitor a ceasefire. The letter also appealed to domestic Russian fatigue with inflation, fuel shortages, and the war's toll, hinting that prolonging it could threaten Putin's own position.
