KIEV, June 4 (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, in which he proposed that the two leaders meet to reach an agreement on ending more than four years of war, warning that Kiev was ready to fight otherwise.
In his letter, which the president’s office said was sent to other countries including the United States, Zelensky said most Russians were tired of Ukrainian missile and drone attacks, inflation and fuel shortages, and were ready for peace.
Zelensky said that with the United States focused on the conflict in Iran, ‘it would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the center of its attention.’
And the path to peace, according to him, must begin on the front line, ‘the line from which diplomacy must begin’. Ukraine, Zelensky said, advocates ‘a complete ceasefire during the negotiations. This is standard practice.’
He said the United States ‘has the capability to monitor a ceasefire along the line at which hostilities cease.’
Zelensky proposed setting a clear date for a meeting and said several countries had ‘traditionally welcomed leaders to resolve issues of war and peace’, citing Switzerland, Turkey and countries in the Arab world.
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‘Don’t be afraid to take the path out of this war. This is the main thing that is required of you now,’ wrote Zelensky.
‘Ukraine proposes to end this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I’m proposing a meeting… If you don’t personally come to the conclusion that it’s time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence.’
And the continuation of the war, Zelensky suggested, could threaten Putin’s personal position.
‘It’s a fact of Russian history that you know well: when Russia gets tired, change comes.’
In Moscow, the Kremlin said it had seen Zelensky’s letter and that Putin would be informed about it.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing in X, said the letter would also be sent officially through diplomatic channels.
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Sybiha described the letter as ‘a serious and meaningful proposal to end the war… with clear, actionable steps and an invitation to a personal meeting’.
‘We expect a significant response to this proposal. It’s time to end this war. It’s time to choose peace.’
