Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a public letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging direct face-to-face negotiations to end the war. The letter, the first of its kind since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, proposes a meeting in a neutral third country, ruling out Moscow and Kyiv as venues. Zelenskyy suggested Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab states as possible hosts.
In the letter, Zelenskyy criticised Putin's 26-year rule and accused Russia of planning to prolong the war into 2027 and 2028. He also claimed Moscow was seeking to draw Belarus deeper into the conflict and destabilise Transnistria, the breakaway Moldovan region. The Ukrainian leader argued that Russia was increasingly feeling the consequences of its actions.
Zelenskyy acknowledged shifting US priorities, saying it would be wrong to wait for the Trump administration to refocus on Ukraine while it remained heavily occupied with the Iran war. He appeared to be seizing a pivotal moment as Ukraine regained battlefield leverage through improved long-range strike capabilities, complicating Russian advances.
Putin, speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said Russia was open to compromise in line with understandings reached at his summit with Donald Trump in Anchorage. He also acknowledged damage from Ukrainian drone attacks, vowing to strengthen air defences. Trump commented that a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin would be 'great' but stressed both sides must compromise.
The US House of Representatives passed legislation providing over $1bn in security and reconstruction aid to Ukraine, with an additional $8bn available through loans. The bill, which also sanctions key Russian economic sectors, faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin was aware of the letter but had not yet studied it in detail, repeating that Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if he wanted talks. Zelenskyy's letter emphasised that leaders must resolve key issues, proposing a clear date for a meeting.
