Key facts
- Kremlin accepted Zelensky's offer for a meeting with Putin.
- Zelensky proposed direct peace talks in an open letter.
- Zelensky suggested a ceasefire during negotiations.
- The United States could monitor such a ceasefire.
- European powers are attempting to restart peace talks.
The Kremlin has accepted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's offer to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Zelensky is welcome to come to Moscow "any time." This development follows Zelensky's publication of an open letter directly addressing Putin, proposing that the two leaders meet to negotiate an end to the war, which has lasted over four years. Zelensky warned that Ukraine would continue fighting for its existence if peace talks did not occur and suggested that continued war could threaten Putin's personal position. He also proposed a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations and suggested the United States could monitor such a ceasefire. The Kremlin acknowledged seeing the letter and stated that Putin would be briefed on its contents. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the letter as a serious and meaningful proposal with clear, doable steps and an invitation for a personal meeting. Zelensky also taunted Putin about his age and recent strikes on St. Petersburg. The letter noted that drone attacks had reached over 1,000 kilometers into Russia, impacting areas like St. Petersburg. Zelensky stated that Putin's 26 years in power had changed the relationship between Ukraine and Russia from civilian matters to "strikes and losses," calling the war "your personal choice - a war without a real cause." He also mentioned that Russian resources are shrinking and that more than 30,000 Russian soldiers were killed or seriously wounded in May. Meanwhile, European powers Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are also attempting to restart peace talks, with a German official suggesting a "window for dialogue is slowly opening" but likely months away. Putin, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, stated that controlling the Donbas region and striking a deal are not mutually exclusive and that there is no need to stop fighting to start talks.