In a rare direct appeal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting to negotiate an end to the full-scale war that began in 2022. The letter, confirmed by the Ukrainian presidential office, was also shared with Kyiv's international partners, including the United States.
Zelenskyy wrote that he is ready for a "full ceasefire" and urged Putin to "set a clear date for such a meeting." The letter marks one of the few times Zelenskyy has addressed Putin directly since the invasion, and the first time he has sent a formal letter to the Kremlin leader.
"The choice is yours now. Enough of war. Ukraine proposes to end this war," Zelenskyy wrote. "Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting."
He emphasized the role of leadership in resolving conflicts: "It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be."
A Personal Appeal and a Stark Warning
Zelenskyy opened the letter by recalling that when Putin came to power over 26 years ago, many Ukrainians viewed him positively. "That is how it was. But that is now in the past," he wrote. He noted that the "overwhelming majority of Ukrainians" now view positively Ukraine's long-range drone strikes, including one that reached the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, over 1,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory. "As you know very well, that distance is not the limit of our capabilities," Zelenskyy added.
The Ukrainian leader accused Putin of waging a war without a real cause, dismissing claims about NATO, geopolitics, or the Russian language as false pretexts. "This war is your personal choice — a war without a real cause. That is how history will remember it," he wrote.
Zelenskyy also addressed the human cost of the conflict, stating that even if Russia does not care about its military casualties, Ukraine does. "We are losing our people, and every loss is painful to us. Even when the ratio of Ukrainian losses to Russian losses is one to five or one to six, it still matters greatly," he said. He added that Ukraine does not want a permanent war and that life without war is "infinitely better."
In a pointed remark, Zelenskyy suggested that Putin's age and time in power are factors: "After 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll. And with time, the fatigue with you will only grow."
The Kremlin responded on Thursday evening, stating that Zelenskyy is welcome to meet Putin in Moscow "any time." However, Zelenskyy has previously insisted that any talks must take place on neutral ground or in a location acceptable to both sides.
This appeal comes amid ongoing Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a recent strike on a residential building in Kyiv. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a meeting with Putin, arguing that only face-to-face talks can yield an agreement on territory. The letter also references Ukraine's resilience: "Many did not believe that Ukraine would be able to hold out for so long. You did not believe it. And those who advised you did not believe it either. That was a mistake."
For European capitals, the proposal raises questions about the viability of direct negotiations while Russia continues its offensive. The EU has maintained sanctions against Moscow and provided military aid to Kyiv, but diplomatic efforts have stalled. Zelenskyy's letter may also be seen as an attempt to pressure Putin publicly, given the Kremlin's previous reluctance to engage in high-level talks.
As the war enters its fourth year, the human and economic toll across Europe remains significant, with millions of Ukrainian refugees in EU member states and energy markets still adjusting to the loss of Russian gas. The outcome of any potential meeting could have far-reaching implications for the continent's security architecture.
