Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to Putin

Ukraine's president tells the Russian leader that only "direct engagement" between the two countries could end the war, with the US focused on Iran. Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to Putin Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Volodymyr Zelensky stands at a white podium in front of a building. The podium has the Ukrainian flag on it and two microphones and the president is dressed in black and gesturing to the right side of the image with his hand Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a face-to-face meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin in a renewed bid to end the war. In an open letter to the Russian president, the Ukrainian leader said it would be "wrong to simply wait" until the war in Europe becomes the focus of the US's attention once more, adding peace could only come "through direct engagement between" Ukraine and Russia. He also called for a full ceasefire for the duration of proposed negotiations - something Putin ruled out earlier on Thursday. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he thought "it would be great" if the two leaders met. The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter and Putin would be briefed on it. The tone of the letter was defiant, even mocking, drawing attention to Ukraine's recent strikes on Russian territory. Zelensky stated that "after 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll" on Putin. "Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting," Zelensky wrote. It's not a new offer from Ukraine's leader. As it has before, the Kremlin responded, saying Zelensky was welcome to meet Putin in Moscow. What was notable was Kyiv's public acknowledgement that the US "is fully focused on the issue of Iran". "It would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the centre of its attention," Zelensky wrote. Speaking to foreign journalists in St Petersburg, without apparently having seen the contents of the letter, Putin said he was "certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine", but said compromises needed to be made. Putin speaks on Thursday on the sidelines of an economic forum in St Petersburg Putin dressed in a dark blue suit, light blue shirt and spotted tie leans into a microphone, his eyebrows raised, at a press conference Putin suggested that as Trump was busy with Iran, the EU could talk Zelensky into surrendering territory. Putin's longstanding position has been that Ukraine should withdraw from four regions partially occupied by Russia - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - and give up its efforts to join Nato. Ukraine has ruled out ceding territory, saying it would embolden Russia to invade again, as it had in 2022 when it launched its full-scale war eight years after illegally annexing Crimea. Ceasefire negotiations have stalled in recent months, and previous peace talks in Geneva, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul have failed. In the letter, which is more than 1,800 words long, Zelensky said: "It is not as if we in Ukraine are concerned about the fate of Russian soldiers after everything your war has brought to our country. "But I do care about Ukrainians. We are losing our people, and every loss is painful to us." President Putin wearing a white shirt, dotted blue tie and blue suit, gestures with his hands as he speaks at a white podium with two microphones. A light green patterned curtain stands to the left of the picture. Putin remains uncompromising on Ukraine, but is public discourse on war changing in Russia? Zelensky said Russians had become tired of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, petrol shortages and rising prices, as well as war. "Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now," he implored. He said Ukraine was proposing to end the war "through direct engagement between us". Zelensky said face-to-face negotiations could take place in a country such as Switzerland or Turkey. Ukrainian foreign minister Andriy Sybiha, said "this open letter is a serious and meaningful proposal to end the war". "We expect a meaningful response to this proposal. It's time to end this war. It's time to choose peace," he added. The Ukrainian president's letter came on the same day Putin was in St Petersburg, where a major economic forum is taking place. The previous day Kyiv had launched a drone attack on the city's outskirts, a strike mentioned in Zelensky's message as "paying a visit". on the city's outskirts, a strike mentioned in Zelensky's message as "paying a visit". Separately Russian-backed authorities in occupied Crimea blamed Ukraine for the death of four people in attacks on Simferopol. Ukraine said it had hit a fuel depot. Russian-backed authorities in occupied Crimea blamed Ukraine for the death of four people in attacks on Simferopol During his press conference on Thursday, Putin appeared to immediately cast doubt on whether a meeting or deal could ever take place. "Whether Mr Zelensky is a legitimate representative of Ukraine, this is a question for the lawyers, for a legal analysis," he said. Trump said he thought the US had been instrumental in bringing the two countries closer to peace. "I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done," he said. Asked about the compromises the two sides would have to make, he said he would "rather not say". "I want them each to make certain compromises, and I think they're going to do it." Ukrainian mother and child walk through rubble and damaged cars amid Russai's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv on June 2nd 2026 Ukraine rescuers pull dead from rubble after Russian strikes kill 22 people Russian President Vladimir Putin listens as he sits in an ornate chair. Can EU find a Russia whisperer to mediate an end to war in Ukraine? A large grey boxy building is visibly damaged and surrounded by debris and rubble. Flames are visible on one side of the building. Rosenberg: Luhansk strike sparks Russian accusations and vow to retaliate At least 10 people have been injured in the attacks, according to Russian-backed officials. Johann Wadephul said it was "no secret" Russia had stirred up sentiment against Germany over its support for Ukraine. The bus was hit in the eastern Donetsk region, an official says. Several long-range drones struck oil storage facilities near the city, days before Vladimir Putin is due to address the event. Reform leader David Bick says the move does not mean support for the Ukrainian people has reduced. Russia is intensifying attacks in Ukraine but more than four years of war are causing concern even among Putin loyalists. Scenes of devastation greet residents emerging from underground shelters after a major Russian attack. An eight-year-old boy killed in a strike on an apartment block are among the dead, officials say.