Zelensky Calls For Direct Meeting With Putin As Ukraine Seeks Fresh Momentum For Peace Talks

Ukrainian President has called for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a fresh attempt to revive peace efforts and bring an end to the war between the two countries.

In an open letter to Putin, Zelensky proposed direct talks in a neutral country such as Turkey or Switzerland and urged Russia to agree to a full ceasefire while negotiations take place. He argued that both nations have suffered immense losses and that diplomacy remains the best path toward ending the conflict.

The latest proposal comes more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war, which followed Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, has become Europe’s largest and deadliest conflict in decades.

Several attempts at peace talks have taken place since the invasion began, including negotiations in Turkey and other international venues, but none have resulted in a lasting agreement. Russia continues to insist that Ukraine accept territorial concessions and abandon its ambitions of joining NATO, while Kyiv has repeatedly rejected those demands.

Zelensky’s appeal also comes amid intensified fighting. Ukraine has recently carried out a series of drone strikes inside Russian territory, while Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue. In his letter, the Ukrainian leader suggested that ordinary Russians are increasingly feeling the impact of the war through economic difficulties and growing insecurity.

The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter, while Putin said he remains open to negotiations but maintained that compromises would be necessary. He also repeated Moscow’s long-standing position questioning Zelensky’s political legitimacy, despite Ukraine’s suspension of elections under martial law.

US President Donald Trump welcomed the idea of a meeting between the two leaders, saying direct engagement could help move both sides closer to a settlement.

While significant differences remain between Kyiv and Moscow, Zelensky’s latest proposal signals a renewed effort to break the diplomatic deadlock and explore whether direct talks could create a path toward ending a war that has reshaped Europe and affected millions of lives.