Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday proposed a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for a full ceasefire during negotiations aimed at ending the war between the two countries.
In an open letter addressed to the Russian leader, Zelensky argued that direct dialogue between the two presidents could pave the way for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct contact between us. I propose a meeting,” Zelensky wrote, adding that both sides should agree on a specific date for talks.
The Ukrainian leader also suggested implementing a comprehensive ceasefire throughout the negotiation process and said that Europe and the United States should be involved in efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering a conflict that has since become one of the most devastating wars in Europe in recent decades. Despite multiple diplomatic initiatives, fighting has continued across large sections of the front line.
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“Today’s front line is where diplomacy should begin,” Zelensky wrote, emphasizing the need to move from military confrontation to political dialogue.
The Kremlin has yet to issue a direct response from Putin. The Russian president was attending a meeting with foreign journalists in St. Petersburg when the letter was published.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted shortly afterward, stating that Zelensky could meet Putin “at any time.” “Zelensky can come to Moscow at any time,” Peskov said, according to Russian state media.
U.S. President Donald Trump also welcomed the proposal, describing a potential meeting between the two leaders as a positive development.
“I’m very happy they’re talking about meeting. I think we had something to do with that. I think it would be great if they met,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
