KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold face-to-face negotiations in a neutral country, marking a rare direct appeal since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
In an open letter released Thursday, Zelenskyy invited Putin to engage in direct talks aimed at ending the war, suggesting that the meeting be held outside both Ukraine and Russia. He proposed neutral locations such as Switzerland, Turkey, or several Arab states.
“I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy wrote, urging both leaders to personally take responsibility for resolving the key issues of the conflict. “It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be.”
The Ukrainian president also called for a clear date to be set for the proposed negotiations and emphasized that Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire during the talks.
Shift in Global Focus
Zelenskyy’s appeal comes as he acknowledged shifting international attention, including U.S. political focus on other global conflicts. He noted that waiting for renewed U.S. prioritization of the Ukraine war would be a mistake.
U.S. President Donald Trump said it would be positive for both leaders to meet, stating, “They should get it done,” while adding that any resolution would require compromises from both sides.
“They’re going to both make compromises,” Trump said, without detailing what concessions he had suggested.
War Conditions and Allegations
In his letter, Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia is preparing for a prolonged conflict that could extend into 2027 or 2028, relying heavily on missile strikes and continued aerial attacks.
He accused Moscow of attempting to expand the conflict’s influence regionally, including efforts to draw Belarus further into the war and destabilize Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria.
Zelenskyy also said Russia is increasingly feeling the pressure of the war, citing economic strain, fuel shortages, and reported battlefield losses.
He claimed Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers were killed or seriously wounded in May alone, though these figures could not be independently verified.
Proposed Path to Peace
The Ukrainian leader outlined several steps toward ending the war, including an all-for-all prisoner exchange and the return of Ukrainian civilians and children taken during the conflict.
He said Ukraine is prepared to implement a ceasefire during negotiations as a first step toward a broader peace agreement.
Despite the ongoing war, Zelenskyy expressed confidence in Ukraine’s resilience, saying international support remains strong.
“The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would,” he said. “But there is growing fatigue with Russia.”
