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Zelensky Urges Putin to Meet, Calls for Direct Peace Talks

In an open letter, the Ukrainian president proposes negotiations with a ceasefire and calls for the involvement of Europe and the United States

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting aimed at opening a path toward negotiations to end the ongoing war, now in its fourth year.

In what he described as a long open letter, Zelensky wrote “Let’s meet,” framing the initiative as a political attempt to move the conflict toward a negotiated settlement. He stressed that key issues, in his view, must be resolved at the level of national leaders, adding that this has “always been the case and always will be.”

The Ukrainian president proposed setting a clear date for a direct meeting with Putin, stating that Kyiv is ready to pursue an end to the war through direct engagement between the two sides. He also indicated Ukraine’s willingness to observe a full ceasefire for the duration of any negotiations.

Zelensky argued that negotiating during a ceasefire is a standard practice, and suggested that broader geopolitical developments reinforce the need for diplomatic engagement. He opened the letter by reflecting on Putin’s rise to power 26 years ago, noting that early perceptions in Ukraine were more favorable, but emphasizing how relations have since deteriorated.

He added that a genuine halt to hostilities would be the most effective starting point for talks, stating that if such a ceasefire were what Moscow wanted, it should be implemented fully rather than symbolically.

In a more forceful passage, Zelensky warned that if Putin does not conclude the war, Ukraine will continue to resist with the support of its allies. He also suggested that Russia itself could face growing internal strain, arguing that historical dynamics could eventually lead to significant political change.

The Ukrainian president also called for a broader international framework to support any peace process, explicitly naming Europe and the United States as necessary participants in future negotiations. He referenced discussions reportedly held in Alaska between Putin and US President Donald Trump, suggesting that issues concerning Ukraine and Europe cannot be resolved in bilateral formats alone.

Zelensky stated that any future security architecture for the region must involve actors capable of guaranteeing stability, stressing that both Europe and the United States should take part in shaping a post-war framework.

He concluded that Ukraine’s security needs, alongside broader regional guarantees, require a multilateral approach involving all major stakeholders capable of influencing the outcome of the conflict.

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