In an open letter to Russian President Putin, Ukrainian Zelenskyi calls for direct talks on ending the war Today’s news
Ukraine’s president has issued a rare open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin that combines sharp criticism of Russia’s war effort with a proposal for direct negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which has entered its fifth year.
In a letter published on June 4, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of starting a “war without a real cause” and urged him to agree to face-to-face talks in a neutral country to seek a permanent solution.
Ukraine blames Putin for choosing war
The Ukrainian president argued that relations between Kyiv and Moscow have fundamentally changed during Putin’s 26 years in power.
“Whatever you may say about NATO, geopolitics or the Russian language, this war is your personal choice – a war without a real cause. That’s how history will remember it,” he wrote.
The letter states that issues such as trade and civilian cooperation have been replaced by discussions of military attacks, casualties and destruction.
According to the Ukrainian leader, Putin spent almost half of his time in office waging war against Ukraine.
He claims that Russia is feeling the cost of the conflict
A significant part of the letter focuses on the economic and social burden of the war inside Russia.
The Ukrainian president argued that ordinary Russians are increasingly frustrated by rising prices, shortages, restrictions and the possibility of additional military mobilization.
“They don’t like gasoline shortages and ever-increasing prices. They don’t like constant restrictions. They don’t like your war not in sight,” he wrote.
He also argued that Russia’s political and financial resources were gradually dwindling and warned that maintaining public support for the war would become increasingly difficult.
It highlights Russian military losses
The Ukrainian leader said that Russia continues to suffer heavy losses on the battlefields.
Citing what he described as military reports, he claimed that during May alone, Russian forces suffered more than 30,000 soldiers killed and seriously wounded.
“The number has once again exceeded 30,000 Russian soldiers killed and seriously wounded,” he said.
The letter also claims that Russia has repeatedly failed to achieve key military objectives, particularly its long-term goal of fully capturing Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
“It is also important that you regularly postpone your own deadlines every few months for the conquest of our regions — especially the Donetsk region. And you won’t be able to do it this year either,” he wrote.
He says Ukraine has exceeded expectations
The Ukrainian president emphasized that many observers initially doubted that Ukraine could withstand a full Russian invasion.
“You didn’t expect total resistance from Ukraine and you didn’t expect things to go this far,” he wrote.
He attributed Ukraine’s survival to domestic resilience and international support, noting that Kiev secured military aid, funding and diplomatic support from allies.
“We get support. You get sanctions,” the letter reads.
He blames Russia for growing isolation
The letter also depicts Russia as increasingly isolated internationally.
The Ukrainian president pointed to Moscow’s military cooperation with North Korea and its deepening economic dependence on China.
“You are the first ruler of Russia to turn to Pyongyang for help,” he wrote.
“And today you are fully dependent on China – also for the first time in the history of Russia.”
He further claimed that even countries that help Russia circumvent sanctions are showing signs of conflict fatigue.
Warns of plans to expand war
The Ukrainian leader said that intelligence surveys indicated that Russia was considering plans to continue the war in 2027 and 2028.
He also claimed that Moscow was trying to drag Belarus deeper into the conflict and was trying to increase pressure on neighboring countries.
“We have seen intelligence reports indicating that you are now considering plans to continue the war into 2027 and 2028,” he wrote.
A direct proposal for peace negotiations
Despite the sharp criticism, the central message of the letter is a proposal for direct negotiations.
“Ukraine proposes to end this war,” the president wrote.
He proposed a one-on-one meeting with Putin in a neutral location such as Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab country.
“I propose a meeting,” he said.
“Key issues are solved by leaders. That’s how it always has been and always will be.”
The Ukrainian president argued that key decisions should be made directly by national leaders, not through lengthy diplomatic processes.
Europe and the US should be part of the process
The letter proposes to involve both Europe and the United States in any future peace framework.
“We believe that Europe should be part of this process,” he wrote.
“We also believe that the United States must be part of this process.”
Western participation, according to the proposal, could help create security guarantees and contribute to a new regional security architecture.
Armistice and prisoner exchange offered
As a confidence-building measure, Ukraine offered a complete ceasefire during the talks.
“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations,” the president said.
He also proposed an “all for all” prisoner exchange and called for the return of civilians and children captured during the conflict.
“Ukraine is ready for a general exchange of prisoners of war,” he wrote.
A final warning for Putin
The letter ends with a warning that Ukraine will continue to fight if diplomacy fails.
“Unless you personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence,” the president wrote.
He argued that Russia’s future depends on whether his leadership decides to end the conflict.
“You can stop your war,” the letter concludes.
The call represents one of the Ukrainian president’s most direct public messages to Putin since the start of the large-scale invasion and comes as efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict remain on hold.
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