'Weak response': Zelenskyy reacts to Putin's reply to his letter
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not want peace and is once again choosing to continue the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.
"Unfortunately, the Russian side once again chooses war – everyone heard the response today. Weak response. He simply does not want to end the war. I think many around the world were disappointed by that response," Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that Putin does not want to change anything and refuses to acknowledge that this war "appeals only to him – and to those who are making money off him," adding that "they were all smiling very broadly today."
"That means Russia must have less money, and there must be more pressure on Russia," the Ukrainian President emphasized.
Unfortunately, the Russian side once again chooses war – everyone heard the response today. Weak response. He simply does not want to end the war.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 5, 2026
I think many around the world were disappointed by that response. He does not want to change anything, and he does not want to admit… pic.twitter.com/En6BySTKPP
What is known about Zelenskyy’s letter
Earlier, Zelenskyy published an open letter addressed to the Russian President. It followed his statement that, due to the United States focusing on the situation with Iran, Ukraine was ready to move to direct talks with Russia in order not to wait for further developments.
In the letter itself, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia would not be able to take control of Donbas this year and called for an end to the war through negotiations. As an interim step, he proposed introducing a ceasefire based on a "freeze the front lines as they are" principle.
Before Putin’s official response, the Kremlin spokesperson said that the Russian leader had reviewed the letter but repeated Moscow’s position: if Zelenskyy wants negotiations, he should come to Moscow.
US President Donald Trump reacted positively to the Ukrainian initiative, saying that he welcomed discussions about a possible meeting.
More details about Zelenskyy’s letter are available in an RBC-Ukraine report.
