Zelensky Invites Putin to Direct Peace Talks, Offers Ceasefire During Negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a fresh appeal for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting and offering a full ceasefire during negotiations as part of efforts to end the war that has raged since 2022.

The proposal was contained in an open letter addressed to the Russian leader and published on the official website of the Ukrainian presidency on Thursday.

The move marks one of the rare occasions Zelensky has publicly and directly appealed to Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.

In the letter, Zelensky argued that meaningful progress toward ending the conflict can only be achieved through direct engagement between both leaders.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky wrote.

As part of the proposal, the Ukrainian leader also pledged readiness for a complete ceasefire for the duration of any negotiations.

“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations,” he stated.

Zelensky further suggested an all-for-all prisoner exchange, describing such a move as a practical confidence-building measure that could serve as the foundation for broader peace efforts. According to him, the release of all prisoners of war by both sides could become “a good prologue to ending the war.”

The latest proposal comes against the backdrop of stalled diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. Several rounds of negotiations held in Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Geneva have failed to produce a breakthrough, particularly on contentious issues surrounding territorial control and the future status of occupied regions.

Efforts led by the United States have also slowed considerably amid shifting international priorities and ongoing geopolitical tensions elsewhere.

Observers note that Zelensky has consistently argued that direct discussions with Putin are necessary because only the Russian president possesses the authority to make binding decisions regarding occupied territories and the future course of the conflict.

For his part, Putin has maintained that a meeting with Zelensky would only be appropriate after negotiators have agreed on the framework of a final peace settlement.

As of Thursday evening, the Kremlin had not officially responded to the Ukrainian president’s latest proposal. The letter was published while Putin was attending a meeting with foreign journalists in Saint Petersburg.

The war, now in its fourth year, has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe.

Whether Zelensky’s latest diplomatic overture can break the deadlock remains uncertain, but it represents one of the most direct attempts in recent months to restart meaningful dialogue between the two leaders.