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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Invites Putin for Direct Peace Talks, Says Ukraine Ready for Peace but Prepared to Fight On
In a significant diplomatic move aimed at ending the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks and negotiate a path toward peace.
In a significant diplomatic move aimed at ending the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks and negotiate a path toward peace.
In an open letter released on Thursday, Zelenskyy urged Putin to personally engage in discussions to bring an end to the war that has continued for more than four years. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that while Kyiv remains committed to achieving peace, it is fully prepared to continue defending its sovereignty if no meaningful progress is made.
Zelenskyy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
In the letter, Zelenskyy proposed a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations, describing it as a standard and practical first step toward ending hostilities.
According to Zelenskyy, diplomacy must begin from the current frontline positions. He suggested that the United States could play a key role in monitoring and verifying any ceasefire agreement reached between the two sides.
“A full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations is standard practice,” Zelenskyy stated, adding that international monitoring would help build trust and create conditions for meaningful dialogue.
Proposal for a Leader-Level Meeting
The Ukrainian president also called for a direct meeting with Putin, arguing that personal engagement between the two leaders could accelerate efforts to end the conflict.
Zelenskyy suggested several potential venues for such talks, including Switzerland, Turkey, and countries in the Arab world, all of which have previously hosted international peace discussions.
“Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us.”
He stressed that Ukraine remains open to negotiations but warned that if Russia refuses to pursue peace, Kyiv will continue fighting to protect its independence and territorial integrity.
Zelenskyy Points to Growing Pressure Inside Russia
In a notable part of the letter, Zelenskyy argued that many Russian citizens are increasingly weary of the war’s consequences, including economic challenges, inflation, fuel shortages, and ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that prolonged conflict could eventually create political pressure within Russia itself.
“It is a fact of Russian history that when Russia grows tired, change comes,” Zelenskyy wrote, in what analysts see as a direct message to the Kremlin leadership.
Kremlin Confirms Receipt of Letter
Responding to media inquiries, the Kremlin confirmed that it had received Zelenskyy’s letter and said President Putin would be briefed on its contents.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the proposal as a serious effort to achieve peace and announced that the letter would also be delivered through official diplomatic channels.
Sybiha said the proposal contains practical and achievable steps toward ending the conflict and reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to engage in direct dialogue.
Global Attention Remains Focused on the Conflict
Zelenskyy also noted that while international attention has recently shifted toward tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, Europe cannot afford to delay efforts to resolve the war.
He argued that waiting for global focus to return to Ukraine would be a mistake and that both sides should seize the current opportunity to pursue diplomacy.
