Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting as part of efforts to end the ongoing war between the two countries.
In an open letter addressed to Putin, Zelenskyy argued that it would be a mistake to wait for international attention to shift back to the conflict in Ukraine, noting that the United States is currently focused on developments involving Iran. He stressed that lasting peace could only be achieved through direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow.
Zelenskyy also called for a comprehensive ceasefire during any proposed negotiations, despite Russia previously rejecting such a condition. The Ukrainian leader suggested that talks could take place in a neutral country such as Turkey or Switzerland.
Open Letter
To the President of the Russian Federation
From the President of UkraineWhen you came to power in Russia more than 26 years ago, many people in Ukraine viewed you positively. That is how it was. But that is now in the past.
Now, the overwhelming majority of…— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 4, 2026
The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter and said Putin would be informed of its contents. However, Moscow reiterated that Zelenskyy remains welcome to meet the Russian president in Moscow. The Ukrainian president’s message carried a firm tone, referencing recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory and criticising Putin’s long tenure in power. Zelenskyy urged the Russian leader to take steps toward ending the conflict, arguing that both Ukrainians and Russians continue to bear the costs of war.
Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said he remained willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine but insisted that compromises would be necessary. Putin repeated Russia’s position that Ukraine should withdraw from four partially occupied regions and abandon its ambitions of joining NATO.
Ukraine has consistently rejected territorial concessions, arguing that surrendering land would encourage further Russian aggression. Previous rounds of peace talks held in Geneva, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul have failed to produce a breakthrough, while ceasefire negotiations have stalled in recent months.
Zelenskyy’s appeal received support from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who described the letter as a serious proposal aimed at ending the war and urged Russia to respond constructively. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump welcomed the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders, saying it would be positive if both sides engaged directly and made the compromises necessary to achieve peace.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, significant differences remain between Kyiv and Moscow, leaving the prospects for a negotiated settlement uncertain.
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