KYIV, Ukraine — In an unprecedented move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a public letter directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, requesting face-to-face talks to resolve the ongoing conflict.
This marks the first direct written communication Zelenskyy has made public to Putin since Russia began its full-scale invasion in 2022. The letter contained a broad condemnation of Putin’s 26-year tenure in office.
Recognizing changing U.S. priorities, Zelenskyy noted it would be incorrect to merely wait for the Trump administration to refocus on resolving the Ukraine conflict while it remains concentrated on the Iran war.
“I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy stated in his letter.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded positively to the proposal, saying it “would be great” if the two leaders met. “They should get it done,” Trump commented.
When questioned about what concessions he had recommended Putin make to conclude the war, Trump refused to elaborate but indicated both parties would need to make sacrifices.
“They’re going to both make compromises,” he stated. “I suggested those compromises.”
Zelenskyy seems to be capitalizing on what he views as a crucial turning point in the conflict, as Ukraine has started to recover some military advantage primarily through enhanced long-range strike capabilities that have hindered Russian progress. Meanwhile, Moscow has escalated its lethal air offensive throughout Ukraine, attempting to capitalize on Kyiv’s resource shortages and ongoing susceptibility to ballistic missile strikes.
The Ukrainian president suggested the discussions could take place in an impartial third nation, excluding both Moscow and Kyiv as potential locations. He recommended Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab nations as possible hosts for the negotiations.
“It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be,” he stated. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia is contemplating extending the war through 2027 and 2028, while depending more heavily on ballistic missile attacks to achieve objectives that its ground operations have failed to secure.
Zelenskyy also charged Moscow with attempting to involve Belarus more deeply in the conflict and trying to create instability around Transnistria, the Russian-supported breakaway region of Moldova.
The Ukrainian president contended that Russia is increasingly experiencing the war’s consequences, citing drone strikes far within Russian borders, economic pressure, fuel shortages, inflation, and the need for additional military conscription.
Zelenskyy reported that Russia lost more than 30,000 soldiers killed or seriously wounded in May alone, claiming Ukraine possessed “video confirmation” of these battlefield casualties and that such loss rates have continued consistently each month.
He acknowledged that Ukraine also continues to experience significant losses despite what he characterized as a favorable casualty ratio.
Zelenskyy indicated Ukraine was ready to establish a complete ceasefire throughout the negotiation period and suggested a comprehensive prisoner exchange as an initial step toward resolving the conflict.
The Ukrainian leader also demanded the return of civilians and children removed 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 declared.
