Zelenskyy Sends Open Letter to Putin Proposing Direct Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin through a rare open letter on Friday (5/6/2026). This bold move follows the Kremlin leader’s admission that Moscow needs to strengthen its air defences amidst an increase in Ukrainian attacks.

According to AFP, the letter contains an invitation for peace negotiations. This appeal follows efforts by US President Donald Trump, who has been actively pushing both parties to end the conflict.

“Ukraine proposes to end this war through direct engagement between us and you. I propose a meeting,” Zelensky wrote in the open letter.

On the other hand, the Kremlin stated that Putin has not yet been shown the letter directly. However, the Kremlin added that Zelensky could meet Putin in Moscow at any time, a proposal that the Ukrainian leader had actually rejected outright in his letter.

“Zelently can come to Moscow at any time,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as quoted by state media after the letter was published.

Zelensky published the letter a day after Ukrainian drones hit Saint Petersburg, coinciding with the period when Putin’s birthplace is hosting an international economic forum this week. The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly called for a meeting with the former KGB spy, believing that only face-to-face talks will result in an agreement regarding territory.

Trump, who faced criticism for reprimanding Zelensky at the White House last year but recently invited Putin to a summit in Alaska, expressed his excitement regarding the potential meeting between the two leaders.

“I think we have a lot of influence in this. I think it would be very good if they meet. They must settle this,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Months of negotiations led by the United States have so far failed to bring both parties closer to an agreement, especially as Trump’s attention has been largely absorbed by the Iran war launched by the US and Israel more than three months ago.

“They will both make compromises, I suggest that compromise, and you know, we have a lot of influence in that,” Trump added without detailing the intended compromise.

Russia, which began the invasion in 2022, has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donbas region, which is still largely controlled by Kyiv’s forces, as a preliminary condition for peace talks. Before Zelenskyy’s appeal was published, Putin again questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian leader in front of foreign journalists in Saint Petersburg, as his first five-year term ended in 2024.

Martial law in Ukraine prohibits elections during wartime, but Zelensky has offered to hold a vote or referendum regarding a final peace deal if a full ceasefire has been established. Putin himself insisted he would only meet Zelensky to finalise a previously agreed deal and refused to meet before that is achieved.

Ukraine itself has continued to intensify its long-range counter-attacks on Russian energy and military targets in recent months in response to a series of nocturnal attacks by Russian troops.

“If you personally do not conclude that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence,” Zelensky asserted in his letter.

Putin’s Praise

On Thursday, Putin praised the achievements of his forces on the battlefield amidst increasing Ukrainian confidence. He denied that the Russian offensive had become a strategic disaster.

“We are fully prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means,” said Putin.

Nevertheless, data shows that the rate of Russian progress has slowed since the end of 2025, and Ukraine has managed to reclaim more territory than it lost to Russian forces in May for the second consecutive month. Putin finally admitted that Russia needs to enhance its air defence systems after Ukrainian drones hit an oil terminal and a naval base in Saint Petersburg just as the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) opened.

“Russia has air defence systems. Yes, we must improve them. Yes, we must strengthen them. And we will do so,” said Putin.