Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday issued an open invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet face-to-face for negotiations, presenting a diplomatic path to end the four-year war while rejecting the framework Moscow has long demanded.
In the letter, Zelensky proposed a bilateral meeting with a clear date and a cease-fire in place for the duration of the discussions. He said the talks could later expand to include the United States and European nations but argued that Ukraine and Russia should not simply wait for Washington to refocus its attention from the conflict with Iran.
“We see that the United States is fully focused on the issue of Iran, and it would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the center of its attention,” Zelensky wrote. “Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. This must be done honestly, with dignity, and with guarantees that the war will not be reignited. I am proposing a meeting.”
The letter, described as 1,800 words, was largely a critique of Putin’s 26-year rule. Zelensky argued that Russia is on the back foot on the front line and from daily drone and missile strikes, and that Putin is running out of time and resources while shortages and rising prices test the patience of Russians.
“Life without war is infinitely better. And we want to achieve that. I am convinced that the majority of Russians would respond positively to this as well — and you know it. Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war,” he added.
Zelensky rejected earlier suggestions by Russian officials that he was welcome in Moscow at any time, saying any meeting should be held in a country with a record of mediating, such as Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab nation.
Putin, speaking before he had seen the letter, told reporters he was “certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine” but only “on the basis of compromises.” He rejected the idea of a cease-fire, reiterating Russia’s long-standing position that it would not halt fighting until a fully formed peace agreement was in force.
Putin also cast doubt on Zelensky’s legitimacy, noting that Zelensky remains in office two years after his presidential term expired in May 2024. Elections cannot be held in Ukraine due to martial law, which was declared on the day of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed the possibility of a Zelensky-Putin summit. “I’m glad they’re maybe talking about meeting. I think we had a lot to do with it. I think it would be great if they met. They should get it done,” Trump said. He did not address Zelensky’s claim that Washington was too busy with Iran to take the lead on Ukraine.