Zelenskyy invited Putin to talks: what he proposed
4 June 22:13
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written an open letter to Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin. The text of the letter has been published on the President’s website, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
In the letter, Zelenskyy directly called on Russia to end the war and proposed a face-to-face meeting for negotiations. In his address, the head of state not only made a diplomatic proposal but also starkly described the consequences of the war for Russia, its losses, international dependence, and the internal fatigue of Russian society.
“When you took the helm of Russia more than 26 years ago, many in Ukraine viewed you positively. That was the case. That is now in the past. Now, the vast majority of Ukrainians view it positively that our long-range drones flew to the opening of your forum in St. Petersburg, covering a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers. As you well know, this distance is not the limit of our capabilities,” Zelenskyy began his letter with these words.
Zelenskyy directly proposed a meeting to Putin
A key part of the letter was a personal proposal to the Russian leader to sit down at the negotiating table.
“Ukraine proposes to end the war in a format between us and you. I propose a meeting with you,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The president clarified that such a meeting should not take place in either Moscow or Kyiv. As neutral venues, he proposed Switzerland, Turkey, or countries in the Arab world.
“There are countries that traditionally host leaders to resolve issues of war and peace. Switzerland, Turkey, and countries in the Arab world—many are able and willing to host this meeting,” the head of state noted.
Zelenskyy stated that the war is Putin’s personal choice
In the letter, the President of Ukraine addressed Putin directly, assessing the causes of the war and its historical significance.
“Whatever you may say about NATO, geopolitics, and the Russian language, this war is your personal choice—a war without a real cause. That is exactly how history will remember it,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
He also noted that Putin has spent nearly half of his 26 years in power at war with Ukraine.
The president described Russia’s growing problems due to the war
A separate section of the letter is devoted to how the war is increasingly taking its toll on Russia itself. Zelenskyy writes that Russians are growing weary of the consequences of the protracted conflict.
“They don’t like our drones and missiles. They don’t like the gasoline shortages and constantly rising prices. They don’t like the constant restrictions. They don’t like your plan to launch a second wave of mobilization… They don’t like that there’s no end in sight to your war,” the letter states.
The president stated that Putin may still be able to maintain the situation by force, but his resources are gradually running out.
“But your resources are significantly dwindling. You will not have enough money or political power to continue buying the loyalty of Russians, as you have done for 26 years,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
In the letter, the head of state reported that he had received a new report on Russian losses for May.
“Yesterday I received a report on your army’s losses on the front lines in Ukraine in May. Once again, there are over 30,000 Russians killed and seriously wounded,” the president wrote.
According to him, Ukraine has video evidence of each such casualty.
Zelenskyy also stated that the ratio of killed to wounded in the Russian army is critical.
“We know that 63 percent of your losses on the front lines are killed, and only 37 percent are wounded. In the 21st century, armies cannot afford such a ratio,” he emphasized.
READ ALSO: EU Prepares Official Opening of Cluster 1 for Ukraine: What Does This Mean
The President reminded Putin of the failure of plans in Donetsk Oblast
Zelenskyy separately drew attention to the Russian army’s unmet objectives.
“You have been regularly, every few months, pushing back the deadlines for capturing our regions, primarily the Donetsk region. You will not capture it this year either,” the president wrote.
One part of the letter addressed Russia’s international dependence.
“We have brought the war to your territory, and you would not have been able to cope with this without North Korea’s help. You are the first Russian leader who has been forced to turn to Pyongyang for help,” Zelenskyy noted.
He also added:
“And today you are completely dependent on China—also for the first time in Russian history.”
Watch us on YouTube: important topics – without censorship
Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire during negotiations
The President of Ukraine stated that, according to intelligence reports, the Kremlin is considering continuing the war in the coming years.
“We have seen intelligence documents indicating that you are currently considering war plans for 2027 and 2028 as well,” he wrote.
In addition, Zelenskyy stated that Russia may attempt to drag Belarus into the war and is playing a separate game with Transnistria.
In the letter, Zelenskyy outlined specific steps Ukraine is prepared to take to launch a genuine diplomatic process.
“Ukraine is ready to implement a complete ceasefire—for the duration of the negotiations,” the president wrote.
He called this standard practice and emphasized that the U.S. could ensure monitoring of such a ceasefire.
“An attempt to establish a genuine ceasefire is the best way to start talking to one another,” he noted.
The president also cited humanitarian solutions as among the first steps toward ending the war. Zelenskyy proposed an “all-for-all” exchange and the return of children.
“Ukraine is ready to exchange prisoners of war on an ‘all for all’ basis, and this could be a good prelude to ending the war,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Also, according to him, serious steps must be taken to return civilians and children who were taken away during the war.
Zelensky warned: if Putin does not stop, Ukraine will continue to fight
At the end of the letter, the president made it clear that the diplomatic proposal is not a sign of weakness.
“If you personally do not come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence. We will have those who will support us,” he wrote.
And he added one more sentence, addressed personally to Putin:
“But you, too, will have to fight much harder for your own survival—not Russia’s, but your own. And this is not a threat from me or Ukraine. These are facts of Russian history that you know well: when Russia grows weary, changes occur. We can work toward that weariness. You can stop your war.”
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
