Zelensky sends letter to Putin seeking face-to-face meeting to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare public letter, offering a full ceasefire for the duration of any negotiations aimed at ending the war.

The proposal came on Thursday, a day after Ukrainian drones struck targets in Saint Petersburg as the Russian city hosted a major international economic forum.

US President Donald Trump welcomed the prospect of direct talks between the two leaders, saying such a meeting would be "great" and urging both sides to make compromises to reach a settlement.

In the letter, Zelensky called for direct engagement with Putin and suggested setting a specific date for a meeting.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky wrote.

He added that Ukraine was prepared to implement a full ceasefire while negotiations were under way.

The appeal marks a rare direct address by Zelensky to the Russian leader. The Ukrainian president has repeatedly argued that only personal talks with Putin can resolve disputes over territory and bring the conflict to an end.

Trump backs direct meeting

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he was pleased that the two sides might be moving towards direct talks.

“I think it would be great if they met. They should — get it done,” he said.

Trump also suggested that the United States had played a role in encouraging the possibility of talks.

Months of US-led diplomatic efforts have failed to produce a breakthrough between Kyiv and Moscow. Trump said both sides would need to make concessions, although he did not specify what those compromises might involve.

The Kremlin said Putin had not yet been shown Zelensky’s letter. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Ukrainian leader could travel to Moscow at any time for a meeting.

Zelensky had already ruled out such a scenario in his letter.

Disagreement over legitimacy and peace terms

The latest exchange comes amid continuing disagreements over the conditions for peace talks.

Russia has insisted that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donbas region as a condition for negotiations, despite Ukrainian forces continuing to control significant parts of the area.

Speaking to foreign journalists in Saint Petersburg before Zelensky’s letter was published, Putin again questioned the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy.

He said the issue of whether Zelensky remained Ukraine’s legitimate leader required “analysis” after his initial five-year presidential term expired in 2024.

Ukraine has not held elections because martial law, imposed during wartime, prohibits voting. Zelensky has previously said elections or a referendum on a final peace agreement could be held once a full ceasefire is in place.

Putin has maintained that he would only meet Zelensky to finalise an agreement that had already been negotiated, rejecting calls for talks before a deal is prepared.

Ukraine steps up long-range attacks

The diplomatic developments come as Ukraine continues to intensify long-range strikes on Russian military and energy infrastructure.

Kyiv says the attacks are a response to regular Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory.

In his letter, Zelensky warned that Ukraine would continue fighting if Russia chose not to pursue an end to the conflict.

“If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence,” he wrote.

Putin, meanwhile, rejected suggestions that Russia’s military campaign had become a strategic failure.

He said Russian forces were advancing across the front line and reiterated Moscow’s readiness to pursue a settlement through peaceful means.

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

Putin acknowledges need for stronger air defences

Putin also acknowledged the need to strengthen Russia’s air defence capabilities following recent Ukrainian drone attacks.

His comments came a day after drones targeted an oil terminal and a naval base in Saint Petersburg, coinciding with the opening of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), often referred to as Russia’s version of Davos.

“Russia has an air defence system. Yes, we must improve it. Yes, we must strengthen it. And we will do so,” Putin said.

Although Russia continues to hold large areas of Ukrainian territory, recent battlefield data suggest the pace of its advance has slowed since late 2025.

According to an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine regained more territory than it lost during May for the second consecutive month.