Zelenskyy proposes Putin meeting to end Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a direct face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the ongoing war. In an open letter published Thursday, Zelenskyy stated Ukraine is prepared for a full ceasefire during such talks. He warned that Ukraine would persist in its fight for survival if Putin did not personally decide to end the conflict.

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Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations.

Zelenskyy's direct outreach to Putin is a rare move since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. His proposal comes as Putin, speaking at a St. Petersburg economic conference, asserted that Russia maintains the upper hand. Putin claimed Russian troops are advancing daily and that Russia controls significant portions of the illegally annexed Luhansk and Donetsk regions, a claim largely corroborated by Western analysis.

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will continue fighting for its existence

However, recent battlefield reports suggest Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine have stalled, partly due to Ukraine's extensive use of drones. Russia has intensified long-range missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, causing numerous civilian casualties. Data from Harvard University's Russia Matters project indicates Russia experienced its first net territorial loss in Ukraine in March and April 2026 since late 2023. Western analyses estimate monthly Russian troop casualties at around 30,000.

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Russian troops are advancing along the entire front.

Despite these challenges, Putin expressed confidence that time is on Moscow's side, citing Ukraine's manpower shortages. He also stated Russia's willingness to reach a peaceful agreement, though he has not indicated any softening of demands. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently highlighted the high casualty numbers to young Russians, warning of the risks of joining the war.

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Russia is 'prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means.'