Kremlin confirms receipt of Zelenskyy’s letter. Putin was not notified
Photo: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that the Russian leadership hold a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin to discuss possible ways to end the war. The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the appeal and said that a response would be provided later, according to the propaganda agency TASS.
The Kremlin said it has reviewed a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that an official position on the letter will be announced later.
Possible meeting and Moscow’s stance
According to Peskov, if Volodymyr Zelenskyy is truly interested in a meeting, he can come to Moscow. No further details about a possible format for contacts were disclosed by the Kremlin.
Content of Zelenskyy’s appeal
In his letter, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed organizing a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to end the war. The Ukrainian president said that the current stage of the conflict requires direct dialogue between the leaders.
Key points of the appeal
According to the Ukrainian side, Zelenskyy’s appeal raised the following issues:
- The changing nature of relations between Ukraine and Russia over recent decades
- The consequences of the full-scale war and the current dynamics of hostilities
- The need to halt fighting and seek a diplomatic solution
- The possibility of holding a meeting at a neutral venue with international mediators
- Discussion of security guarantees and the future regional security architecture
- Issues of prisoner exchanges and the return of civilians
- The need to de-escalate and move toward negotiations.
Proposal on the negotiation format
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine supports ending the war and is ready to discuss the terms of a ceasefire. According to him, international partners, including the United States and European countries, could be involved in the negotiation process as guarantors.
The appeal also noted that previous agreements had shown the need for a more sustainable conflict-resolution mechanism.
Prospects for dialogue
Zelenskyy proposed considering the establishment of a ceasefire regime during negotiations. Particular emphasis was placed on an "all for all" prisoner exchange and the return of deported civilians.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, did not assess the initiative, limiting itself to confirming receipt of the letter and promising a further response.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the view that Russia is capable of simultaneously establishing control over Donbas and reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine.
