Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare open letter aimed at advancing efforts to end the war between the two countries.
The proposal comes amid renewed diplomatic discussions and follows a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory, including strikes near Saint Petersburg.
In the letter published on Thursday, Zelensky called for direct engagement with the Russian leader and suggested setting a specific date for negotiations.
“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us—and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky wrote.
“I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
The Ukrainian leader also offered a temporary ceasefire to facilitate meaningful negotiations.
“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations,” he added.
The proposal marks one of the few occasions Zelensky has directly addressed Putin in a public appeal since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Zelensky has repeatedly argued that only direct talks between the two leaders can resolve key issues, including the status of occupied territories and the framework for a lasting peace agreement.
Reacting to the development, United States President Donald Trump welcomed the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders and encouraged both sides to pursue a negotiated settlement.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said a direct meeting could help move peace efforts forward.
“I think it would be great if they met. They should — get it done,” Trump said.
The US president also suggested that Washington had played a role in encouraging dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.
“I’m glad that they’re maybe talking about meeting. I think we had a lot to do with it,” he stated.
Trump further emphasised the need for compromise from both parties, although he did not specify what concessions might be required.
“They’re going to both make compromises. I suggested those compromises, and you know, we’ve had a lot to do with it,” he said.
Despite the renewed diplomatic overtures, significant differences remain between the two sides.
Russia has maintained that Ukraine must withdraw from the eastern Donbas region as a condition for broader peace negotiations, even though Kyiv continues to control substantial portions of the territory.
Before Zelensky’s letter was published, Putin reiterated concerns about the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president, whose original five-year term expired in 2024.
The Russian leader argued that the issue required further consideration, although Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections during wartime under martial law.
Zelensky has previously stated that elections or a referendum on any final peace agreement could take place once a comprehensive ceasefire is established.
The Kremlin said Putin had not yet reviewed the letter but indicated that Zelensky could travel to Moscow for talks.
However, the Ukrainian leader appeared to reject such a scenario in his appeal, favouring a mutually agreed venue and framework for negotiations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later told Russian media that “Zelensky can come at any time to Moscow.”
The diplomatic developments come as fighting continues on multiple fronts.
Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes against Russian military and energy infrastructure in recent months, describing the attacks as a response to ongoing Russian missile and drone assaults on Ukrainian cities.
In his letter, Zelensky warned that Ukraine would continue to resist Russian aggression if meaningful peace efforts fail.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, Putin defended Russia’s military campaign and insisted that Russian forces continue to make progress along the front lines.
“We are absolutely ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means,” Putin said.
He also rejected suggestions that Russia’s military strategy had become ineffective, claiming that Russian troops were advancing across the battlefield.
However, recent battlefield assessments indicate that Ukraine has regained some territory in recent months, with reports showing Kyiv recaptured more land than it lost during May for the second consecutive month.
The latest diplomatic exchange also came shortly after Ukrainian drone attacks targeted strategic facilities in Saint Petersburg, including an oil terminal and a naval installation.
Acknowledging the growing threat posed by Ukrainian drone operations, Putin conceded that Russia must improve its defensive capabilities.
“Russia has an air defence system. Yes, we must improve it. Yes, we must strengthen it. And we will do so,” he said.
As international efforts to broker peace continue, the prospect of a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin may offer a new diplomatic pathway, although major political and territorial disagreements remain unresolved.
