Zelenskyy Sends Open Letter to Putin Proposing War-Ending Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has penned an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a direct meeting to negotiate an end to the ongoing war. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed the message would be officially delivered through diplomatic channels.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that the letter had been seen and would be reported to Putin. Peskov also stated that Zelenskyy was welcome to visit Moscow at any time if he wished to talk. Zelenskyy's letter reflects on the past 26 years, noting a shift in Ukrainian sentiment from initial positive views of Putin to widespread approval of drone strikes on St. Petersburg prior to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

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But we in Ukraine do not want constant war. We know well that without war it is immeasurably better. We want to achieve this. I am sure that the majority of Russians are ready to give a positive answer to this, and you know about it.

Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's desire to avoid perpetual war, stating, "We want to achieve this. I am sure that the majority of Russians are ready to give a positive answer to this, and you know about it." He proposed ending the war directly between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting a meeting format. He also noted that while the United States is focused on Iran, it is inappropriate to simply wait for their attention to turn to the war in Europe.

While open to a summit, Zelenskyy rejected Moscow as a potential meeting location, instead suggesting Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab countries as possible venues. He maintained that Europe should participate in the negotiations, given that the conflict is occurring on the continent.

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Ukraine proposes to end this war. We must do this honestly, with dignity, and guarantee that there will be no new incitement to war. We see that the United States is paying all its attention to the issue of Iran. And it is wrong to simply wait for their attention to turn to the war in Europe. Ukraine proposes to end the war in a format between us and you. I propose a meeting with you.