Zelensky Proposes Direct Talks with Putin to End War

Kyiv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has written an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing a direct meeting to end the war. In the letter addressed to Putin, Zelensky stated that it is not appropriate for Europe's war to wait for America's priority again and that peace is possible only through direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.

He has also urged for a complete ceasefire to be implemented for the duration of the proposed talks. However, Putin has already rejected this ceasefire proposal earlier. US President Donald Trump has said that it would be good if a meeting between the two leaders takes place.

The Kremlin has confirmed receipt of Zelensky's letter and stated that Putin will be informed about it. In the letter of approximately 1,800 words, Zelensky has made sharp comments about Putin, mentioning that the effects of age are starting to show after remaining in power for 26 years. He stated that the Ukrainian people have suffered greatly due to the war and that direct talks are necessary to end it.

'Ukraine wants to end this war through direct dialogue between us and you. For that, I propose a meeting,' he wrote in the letter. Zelensky has suggested that the talks could be held in neutral countries like Switzerland or Turkey.

Meanwhile, Putin has said that although an agreement is possible, both sides must compromise for it. He reiterated his old stance that Ukraine must abandon the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions under Russian control and stop its attempts to join NATO.

Ukraine, on the other hand, has refused to cede its territory, stating that doing so would encourage Russia to attack again in the future. So far, peace talks held in Geneva, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul have been inconclusive, and efforts for a ceasefire have also stalled in recent months.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called Zelensky's open letter a serious and meaningful proposal to end the war. He urged Russia to respond positively, stating that it is time to choose the path of peace.

Meanwhile, Putin has stated that the issue of whether Zelensky is the legitimate representative of Ukraine is a matter of legal analysis. This has created further uncertainty about potential talks and agreements.

US President Trump, on the other hand, claimed that America has succeeded in bringing both sides closer to peace and wants them to meet and conclude a peace agreement.