Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly called on Russian president Vladimir Putin to hold a face-to-face meeting aimed at opening negotiations to end the war.
In an open letter published on Thursday, June 4th, Zelensky argued that Europeans, Russians, and Ukrainians should take greater responsibility for resolving the conflict as the United States focuses increasingly on tensions involving Iran.
We can already 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 centre of its attention.
The Ukrainian president proposed a meeting in a neutral country, suggesting Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab state as possible venues.
Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us—and you and me. I am proposing a meeting.
Zelensky also reiterated Kyiv’s position that a ceasefire should be agreed before substantive negotiations begin.
Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations.
Moscow has previously maintained that broader political questions must be addressed before a ceasefire can be implemented.
The letter contained sharp criticism of Putin, whom Zelensky accused of personally choosing war and bearing responsibility for the conflict.
This war is your personal choice—a war without a real cause. That is how history will remember it.
Zelensky also argued that Western sanctions are increasing pressure on Russia and making the country more dependent on China.
The Ukrainian leader referred to former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, who has frequently criticised Western military support for Ukraine.
The example of Orbán shows how those who choose to help Russia in its war against us end in disgrace.
The letter was published as contacts between Moscow and Kyiv remain limited, and the two sides continue to disagree on the conditions for peace talks. The appeal nevertheless represents a renewed public effort by Zelensky to push for direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leadership as the war enters its fifth year.
