Zelensky Declares Readiness For Full Ceasefire In Open Letter To Putin
Zelensky expresses readiness for full ceasefire in Ukraine war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare open letter, stating that Ukraine is ready for a “full ceasefire” during negotiations. The appeal was made on Thursday amid ongoing hostilities between the two countries and renewed diplomatic tension following recent military exchanges.
In the letter, Zelensky called for direct engagement with Putin to explore an end to the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022. He urged the Russian leader to agree on a clear date for a potential meeting, saying that only direct talks between the two heads of state could lead to a meaningful resolution of the conflict.
The Kremlin responded by saying Putin had not yet seen the letter, but reiterated its long-standing position that a meeting could take place in Moscow “any time.” However, Zelensky had already rejected Moscow as a venue in his message, underscoring the diplomatic gap between the two sides.
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Zelensky’s appeal came shortly after Ukrainian drone strikes reportedly targeted areas including Saint Petersburg, coinciding with a major international economic forum in the city. The Ukrainian side has increasingly carried out long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure, describing them as retaliation for ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said Moscow remains open to a peaceful resolution but maintained that Russia is “advancing along the entire line of contact.” He also acknowledged the need to strengthen Russia’s air defence systems following recent Ukrainian drone activity targeting strategic sites.
Despite months of US-led diplomatic efforts, no breakthrough has been achieved between the two sides. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from parts of the Donbas region as a condition for negotiations, while Kyiv insists on a full ceasefire before any substantive political discussions take place.
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