Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly called for direct, face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an open letter. This is the first time Zelenskyy has written directly to Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. In the letter, he strongly criticized Putin’s 26 years in power.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that U.S. priorities are shifting, and said it would be a mistake to simply wait for the Trump administration to refocus on ending the war in Ukraine while it remains heavily involved in the conflict with Iran. “I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He appeared to be trying to seize a key moment in the war, as Ukraine has started to regain some battlefield advantage, mainly through improved long-range strike capabilities that have made it harder for Russia to advance. At the same time, Moscow has stepped up its deadly air attacks across Ukraine, trying to take advantage of Ukraine’s shortages and ongoing vulnerability to ballistic missile strikes.
On Thursday, Putin said Russia would strengthen its air defenses in response to recent Ukrainian drone attacks, which have reached deep into Russian territory and cast a shadow over his major economic forum in his hometown of St. Petersburg.
Speaking during a meeting with heads of international news agencies, Putin acknowledged the damage caused by Ukrainian drone strikes. “Unfortunately, some of them get through,” he said. “Russia has an air defense system, but we need to improve and strengthen it, and we will do that.”
The wide-ranging media session took place on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin’s annual event to attract investment. Hours before the forum opened on Wednesday, a Ukrainian drone attack set an oil terminal on fire in the city and also hit a nearby naval base.
Putin also said Russia is open to a compromise on Ukraine, based on the agreements reached during his summit with Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. He said Ukraine must accept these terms to make a deal to end the conflict, now in its fifth year.
On Thursday, Trump said it would be “great” for Zelenskyy to meet Putin, but added that both sides need to make compromises, without giving further details. “I’m glad they might be talking about a meeting. I think we had a lot to do with it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I think it would be great if they met. They should – get it done.”
“They’re both going to make compromises. I suggested those compromises, and you know, we’ve had a lot to do with it.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would provide aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions on key parts of the Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leaders who warned the bill could undermine negotiations aimed at achieving a similar but stronger result.
The 226-195 vote showed growing impatience with Trump’s approach to the war. The Democrat-backed bill aims to secure U.S. support for Ukraine by providing more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid. It would also make another $8 billion available for Ukraine’s defense through loans. The bill would still need to pass the Senate, which supporters acknowledge may be unlikely.
In his letter, Zelenskyy said the proposed talks could be hosted by a neutral third country, ruling out Moscow and Kyiv as possible locations. He suggested Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab states as potential hosts. “It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be,” he wrote. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin was aware of the message but had not yet responded.He had a chance to go through its contents in detail. Peskov repeated that Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if he wanted to hold talks.
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Ukrainian drones struck oil terminal infrastructure in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. Photograph: Reuters
In the letter, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence indicated that Russia was considering plans to prolong the war into 2027 and 2028, while increasingly relying on ballistic missile strikes to achieve what its ground campaign had failed to do.
Zelenskyy also accused Moscow of trying to pull Belarus deeper into the conflict and of attempting to destabilize the situation around Transnistria, the breakaway Moldovan region backed by Russia.
The Ukrainian leader argued that Russia was increasingly feeling the costs of the war, pointing to drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, economic pressure, fuel shortages, rising prices, and the need for more military mobilization.
Zelenskyy claimed that Russia had seen more than 30,000 soldiers killed or seriously wounded in May alone, saying Ukraine had “video confirmation” of the battlefield losses and that such casualty levels had continued month after month.
He said Ukraine also continued to suffer painful losses, despite what he described as a favorable casualty ratio.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to implement a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations and proposed an all-for-all prisoner exchange as a first step toward ending the conflict. He also called for the return of civilians and children taken from Ukraine during the war.
“The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would. But there is growing fatigue with Russia,” Zelenskyy said, addressing Putin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about President Zelenskyys call for direct talks with Putin to end the war in Ukraine
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What did Zelenskyy say recently about ending the war
He stated that he is ready for direct facetoface negotiations with Vladimir Putin to find a diplomatic end to the war
2 Why does Zelenskyy want to talk directly to Putin
He believes that highlevel direct talks are the only way to make quick serious decisions to stop the fighting and agree on a ceasefire or peace deal
3 Has Zelenskyy always been open to talking to Putin
Not always For much of the war he ruled out direct talks while Putin was in power His current stance is a shift likely driven by war fatigue and changing international pressures
4 Did Putin agree to these talks
As of now the Kremlin has not agreed to direct talks Russia has stated it sees no basis for negotiations while Ukraine continues its military operations
5 What would they actually talk about
Key topics would likely include a ceasefire security guarantees for Ukraine the status of occupied territories prisoner exchanges and the withdrawal of Russian troops
AdvancedLevel Questions
6 What changed to make Zelenskyy push for direct talks now
Several factors battlefield stalemate potential reduction in Western military aid upcoming elections in key allies and the need to rebuild Ukraines economy and infrastructure
7 What are the biggest risks of Zelenskyy negotiating directly with Putin
The main risks are Putin using talks to buy time to regroup his forces Ukraine being forced to give up territory permanently and a lack of security guarantees that would prevent Russia from attacking again
8 How does this affect Ukraines relationship with its Western allies
It puts pressure on allies They must decide whether to support Ukraines diplomatic move or continue pushing for a military victory It also tests their unity on longterm support
9 What is the Minsk Agreements precedent and why does it matter here
The Minsk agreements were previous peace deals that failed because Russia did not fully implement them Many Ukrainians fear a new deal would just be another pause for Russia to rearm
