Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has issued an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing direct talks between the two leaders to end more than four years of war, warning that Ukraine is prepared to continue fighting if no agreement is reached.
The letter, which Zelenskiy’s office said was also shared with several countries including the United States, stressed that both sides must take steps towards negotiations, starting from the current frontline positions.
Zelenskiy claimed that Russian citizens were increasingly weary of the war due to ongoing Ukrainian attacks, inflation pressures and fuel shortages, suggesting growing domestic fatigue could push momentum towards peace.
He also urged that negotiations should not be delayed, warning that global attention, including that of the United States, was shifting towards other conflicts such as tensions in Iran.
The Ukrainian leader said any path to peace must begin with a full ceasefire and proposed that the United States could help monitor a halt in hostilities along the frontline.
Zelenskiy suggested a direct meeting with Putin could take place in neutral venues such as Switzerland, Turkey or countries in the Arab world, which have previously hosted peace discussions.
In the letter, he urged the Russian president not to avoid dialogue, warning that continued conflict could have consequences for Russia’s internal stability and leadership.
He added that Ukraine would continue defending itself if Russia refuses to engage in meaningful negotiations, reiterating that ending the war remains Kyiv’s priority.
The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter, saying President Putin would be briefed on its contents, while Ukraine’s foreign ministry described it as a serious diplomatic proposal.
Officials in Kyiv said the message would also be delivered through formal diplomatic channels as both sides face renewed pressure to consider a potential path towards peace talks.
