Zelensky Proposes Direct Peace Talks with Putin in Open Letter

According to reports, the letter marks Zelenskyy’s first public message addressed directly to Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the letter, the Ukrainian leader also criticized Putin’s 26-year rule while calling for a new effort to end the conflict through dialogue.

Proposal for Neutral-Venue Talks

Zelenskyy suggested holding the meeting in a neutral third country, mentioning possible venues such as Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab state.

As part of the proposal, he called for a complete ceasefire during negotiations and the release of all prisoners held by both sides.

The initiative comes as Ukraine seeks new diplomatic avenues to end the war, amid perceptions that Washington's attention has increasingly shifted toward tensions in the Middle East.

Trump Welcomes Possible Meeting

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump described a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin as “a great thing.”

Trump said any successful peace agreement would require compromises from both sides, emphasizing that negotiations remain the most realistic path toward ending the conflict.

U.S. House Approves New Ukraine Aid Package

Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a new bill providing additional assistance to Ukraine.

The legislation includes security and reconstruction support and is being viewed by some observers as a sign of growing congressional impatience regarding the pace of efforts to resolve the conflict. However, the bill still faces uncertainty in the Senate.

Military Pressure Continues

Zelenskyy’s diplomatic initiative comes at a time when Ukraine has intensified long-range drone operations inside Russia.

Reports indicate that a drone strike caused a fire at an oil refinery near Saint Petersburg shortly before the start of a major economic forum attended by Putin.

Putin has acknowledged that Ukrainian drones have succeeded in penetrating parts of Russia’s air defense network and stated that additional measures are needed to strengthen national defenses.

At the same time, the Russian president has indicated that Moscow remains open to compromise under certain conditions, while maintaining that Ukraine would need to accept terms acceptable to Russia.

Zelenskyy Claims Russia Under Pressure

In his letter, Zelenskyy argued that Russia’s ground offensives have largely stalled, forcing Moscow to rely increasingly on ballistic missile attacks.

He also claimed that Russia intends to prolong the war into 2027–2028 but is facing growing challenges from Ukrainian drone strikes and economic pressures.

According to Zelenskyy, more than 30,000 Russian troops were killed or seriously wounded during May alone, though such battlefield casualty claims remain difficult to independently verify during wartime.

Kremlin Response

Responding to the proposal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin is aware of the letter but has not yet reviewed its contents in detail.

Peskov added that if Zelenskyy wishes to hold talks, he would be welcome to come to Moscow for discussions.

The exchange represents one of the most direct diplomatic overtures between the two leaders since the war began and could signal a renewed push for negotiations, although significant differences remain between Kyiv and Moscow regarding the conditions for any peace settlement.