Zelenskyy suggests meeting Putin outside Moscow to end war in open letter to Kremlin ruler

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed in an open letter dated 4 June that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin set a date and meet to end the war.

Source: Zelenskyy's open letter to Putin, published on the Office of the President's website on 4 June

Quote: "Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us – me and you. I am proposing a meeting. Everyone heard your representatives, smiling, say that I could supposedly come to Moscow. But after these 26 years, there is nothing for a Ukrainian leader to do in your capital – just as there is nothing for a Russian leader to do in Kyiv."

Details: Zelenskyy stated that there are countries that traditionally host leaders to resolve questions of war and peace, among them Switzerland, Türkiye and countries of the Arab world. "Many are able and willing to host such a meeting," Zelenskyy noted.

He added that it is leaders who resolve key questions, as it has always been and will always be. "I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting," the president wrote.

"Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations. This is standard practice, and current developments around Iran only reinforce that point. An attempt to establish real silence is the best way to begin talking to one another. We believe it would not simply be an attempt, but a real ceasefire – if that is what you want," Zelenskyy emphasised

Zelenskyy also stated that ceasefire monitoring along the line of contact could be ensured by the United States.

He added that Ukraine is also ready for a prisoner-of-war exchange on an "all-for-all" basis, which could serve as a good prologue to ending the war. Zelenskyy stated that serious steps must also be taken to secure the return of civilians and children taken away during the course of the war.

Quote: "We must determine what kind of future awaits the generations of Ukrainians and Russians who will come after us. If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence. We will have those who support us.

But you, too, will have to fight much harder for your own existence — not Russia's, but your own. And this is not a threat from me or from Ukraine. It is a fact of Russian history that you know well: when Russia grows tired, change comes.

We can work toward that fatigue. You can stop your war."

Background:

• Putin had earlier stated that Russia is allegedly ready to reach compromises to end the war against Ukraine, as discussed during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Anchorage.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Ukraine has a "window of opportunity" for negotiations with Russia on ending the war before the next winter.

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