Lead
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly called for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations. The open letter, published on the Ukrainian presidency's website and sent via diplomatic channels, marks a rare direct address from Zelenskyy to Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Coverage Comparison
Multiple international outlets reported on the letter, with consistent details about its content and the reactions from Moscow and Washington. The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter and said Putin would be briefed on it, though the Russian leader, speaking at a press briefing in St. Petersburg, said he had not yet seen its contents. Putin expressed a willingness to reach an agreement but stressed that certain compromises would be needed, and he did not rule out signing a peace deal with Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump said he thought "it would be great" if the two leaders met, adding, "They should get it done." Trump also indicated that both sides would need to make compromises, though he declined to provide specifics.
European leaders also weighed in. French President Emmanuel Macron said it was "time" to resume dialogue with Moscow, while a spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government welcomed the letter but called for "serious willingness" from Moscow, noting there was little sign of it yet. The European Union also backed Zelenskyy's call for direct talks, with EU spokeswoman Anitta Hipper saying, "We welcome President Zelenskyy's call for direct negotiations and also the call for a ceasefire."
Key Claims
In the letter, which is more than 1,800 words long, Zelenskyy wrote that it would be "wrong to simply wait" until the war in Europe returns to the center of US attention, given Washington's focus on the Iran war. He proposed ending the war "through direct engagement between us," and said, "I am proposing a meeting." He also stated, "Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations."
Zelenskyy's letter included a sweeping critique of Putin's 26 years in power, saying the Russian leader had spent nearly half of that time "waging war against Ukraine." He suggested that Russians were growing tired of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, fuel shortages, and rising prices, and implored Putin: "Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war."
Zelenskyy also proposed an all-for-all prisoner exchange as a first step toward ending the conflict, according to reports. He suggested that Europe and the United States should be involved in the peace process, saying, "We believe Europe should be part of this process... We also believe that the United States must be part of the process."
Putin, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said Russia needed to improve and strengthen its air defense system, acknowledging that some Ukrainian drone attacks had broken through. Hours before the forum opened, Ukrainian drones hit oil terminals in St. Petersburg, setting them ablaze, and also struck a nearby naval base.
Zelenskyy, in an interview with The Guardian, said Russia was losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed or seriously wounded every month, with 23,000-24,000 killed and the rest "heavily" wounded. He said the true figure could be even higher, adding, "Totally, this is a very big number. It means that they are not winning the war."
Perspectives
Ukrainian Government: President Zelenskyy's letter frames the war as a personal choice by Putin and calls for direct negotiations, a full ceasefire, and an all-for-all prisoner exchange. He insists that Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence if Putin does not agree to end the war.
Russian Government: President Putin said Russia is "certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine" but stressed that compromises are needed. He said there was no need for a suspension of hostilities to begin negotiations, and he did not rule out signing a peace deal. The Kremlin said Putin would be briefed on the letter.
United States: President Trump said a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin "would be great" and that both sides would need to compromise. He said, "They should get it done."
European Union and European Leaders: France and Germany welcomed the letter, with Macron saying it was "time" to resume dialogue with Moscow. The EU backed the call for direct talks and a ceasefire, while a German government spokesman called for "serious willingness" from Moscow.
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba: In an interview with FRANCE 24, Kuleba said Trump's "effort to bring this war to an end has failed" and that he did not believe there was "a window for a diplomatic solution at this stage." He also said no Ukrainian leader would sign a document ceding occupied territories to Russia, citing "the trust in Russia is zero."