Zelenskyy sends letter to Putin: Key details and first reactions from Russia and US

Zelenskyy's letter

A day before publishing the letter, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is currently not a priority for the United States, which is focused on Iran. Zelenskyy stated that he is ready for direct negotiations with Putin rather than waiting in line until the United States finishes dealing with all other wars.

Then, yesterday evening, the Ukrainian president's open letter to Putin was published.

Zelenskyy, in an open letter to Putin, proposed a ceasefire (infographic by RBC-Ukraine)

The Ukrainian leader states that Russia will not capture Donbas this year, calls on Putin to end the war, and urges him to sit down at the negotiating table.

According to him, Ukraine is ready to declare a truce for the duration of the talks, while troops would remain on the current line of contact (we stay where we are).

Here is a summary of the letter:

• Changing relations. During 26 years of Putin's rule in Russia, relations between the two countries have transformed from discussions about trade turnover to a state of war, which became the Russian leader's personal choice.
• War as a burden for Russia. The war is causing negative consequences for Russians, including shortages of goods, rising prices, mobilization, and no clear prospect of ending the conflict.
• Losses and resources. Russia is suffering enormous battlefield losses (more than 30,000 killed and wounded every month), while the resources and political capital needed to maintain citizens' loyalty are being exhausted.
• Ukrainian resistance. Ukraine has endured despite forecasts, united the world around itself, and brought the war onto Russian territory, demonstrating its ability to defend itself on a full scale.
• Loss of Russia's independent position. Russia has become fully dependent on assistance from North Korea and China, losing its ability to make independent decisions.
• Proposal to end the war. Ukraine proposes ending the conflict honestly and with dignity, abandoning the path of permanent war.
• Negotiation format. A bilateral negotiation track is proposed, involving the United States and European partners as guarantors, on neutral territory (Switzerland, Türkiye, or countries of the Arab world).
• Steps to begin dialogue:
  1. Setting a specific date for a meeting between the leaders.
  2. A complete ceasefire during negotiations, monitored by the United States.
  3. An exchange of prisoners of war on an all-for-all basis.
  4. The return of deported civilians and children.
• Outlook. The decision on ending the war remains with the Russian leader. If the aggression continues, Ukraine will keep fighting, while growing fatigue inside Russia will inevitably lead to a change.

Read here the full text.

Ukraine's motives

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the letter would be delivered through all diplomatic channels. A source in the president's team told RBC-Ukraine that it is important that the contents of the letter reach Russia, primarily those groups there that have influence.

Photo: In his letter, Zelenskyy made it clear to the aggressor that Kyiv is capable of drastically increasing the cost of the war for Moscow (infographic by RBC-Ukraine)

As presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn explained to journalists, the main recipient of the letter is, of course, Putin, but it is also aimed at the United States and other partners.

Kremlin reaction

Putin has not yet responded to the letter. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had seen it and Putin would be informed about it later. Peskov also repeated the Kremlin's familiar line that if Zelenskyy wants negotiations, he should come to Moscow.

Although Putin has not yet reacted to the letter, he has recently made several statements about the war in Ukraine. The topics ranged from new threats of an Oreshnik missile strike on residential areas in Ukraine to saying "thank God" at the prospect of the war ending. Putin said he was ready for "compromises," again referred to the "spirit of Anchorage," and did not abandon his ambition regarding Donbas.

Trump's reaction

Commenting to reporters on the letter Zelenskyy sent to Putin, the US president said he was pleased that the sides were discussing the possibility of a meeting. According to him, the United States has done a lot to make this possible.

"I think it would be great if they (Zelenskyy and Putin - ed.) met," Trump said at the White House while speaking to the press.

He called Russia and Ukraine great countries and also said that both Putin and Zelenskyy are "very good people."

Photo: Zelenskyy calls for an honest end to the war and urges against escalating the conflict (infographic by RBC-Ukraine)

Trump repeated his usual claim that 25,000 people are dying every month in the war in Ukraine and expressed the view that the sides would eventually reach certain compromises and end the conflict.

The American leader added that Ukraine "would not have lasted even one or two days" without assistance provided by the United States.