Zelensky Proposes Direct Talks With Putin in Bid to End Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his call for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting aimed at ending the ongoing war between the two countries.

In an open letter addressed to Putin, Zelensky said it would be a mistake to wait for the conflict to regain the full attention of the United States. He argued that peace could only be achieved through direct engagement between Ukraine and Russia.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us, and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky wrote.

He also called for a full ceasefire during any negotiations, although Putin rejected that proposal earlier on Thursday.

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Kremlin Confirms Receipt of Letter

The Kremlin confirmed that it had received Zelensky’s letter.

While the Ukrainian president’s invitation was not a new proposal, the letter drew attention for its direct and sometimes critical tone. Zelensky referenced recent Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory and suggested that Putin’s long time in power was affecting his judgment.

The Ukrainian leader proposed holding talks in a neutral location such as Switzerland or Turkey.

Putin Says He Is Open to an Agreement

Speaking in St Petersburg during a major economic forum, Putin said he was willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine but insisted that compromises would be necessary.

“I am certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine,” Putin said.

The Russian president repeated Moscow’s position that Ukraine should withdraw from the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which Russia largely occupies. He also reiterated Russia’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.

Ukraine has consistently rejected territorial concessions, arguing that giving up land would encourage future Russian aggression.

Zelensky Highlights Human Cost of War

In his letter, Zelensky focused on the human toll of the conflict, saying Ukraine continues to suffer painful losses.

“We are losing our people, and every loss is painful to us,” he wrote.

The Ukrainian president also argued that Russian citizens were increasingly feeling the impact of the war through rising prices, fuel shortages and continued drone and missile attacks.

“Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now,” Zelensky said.

Peace Efforts Remain Stalled

Previous attempts to negotiate a settlement have produced little progress.

Peace talks held in Geneva, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul failed to generate a breakthrough, while ceasefire discussions have stalled in recent months.

Russia has also continued to question Zelensky’s legitimacy, arguing that his presidential term expired in May 2024.

During his remarks, Putin again raised concerns about Zelensky’s legal status as president. However, Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Trump Supports Potential Meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the possibility of direct talks between the two leaders.

“I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done,” Trump told reporters.

Trump said he believed both sides would eventually need to make compromises but declined to specify what those concessions might involve.

Continued Fighting on Both Sides

The proposal for direct talks came amid ongoing military operations.

Zelensky referenced a recent Ukrainian drone attack near St Petersburg, while Russian-backed authorities in Crimea accused Ukraine of attacks that reportedly killed four people in Simferopol.

Ukraine said it targeted a fuel depot in the region.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian strike on the offices of a food company near Kyiv killed at least four people on Friday.

The conflict, now in its fifth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion, continues to cause significant military and civilian casualties across both countries.