Zelenskyy writes open letter to Putin
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (facebook.com_zelenskyy.official)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written an open letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, declaring Kyiv's readiness to end the war through direct negotiations, according to the President's official website.
Key points:
- War losses and battlefield situation: Russian losses in May alone exceeded 30,000 killed and seriously wounded troops, with 63% of those casualties being fatalities. At the same time, the ratio of Ukrainian losses to Russian losses stands at approximately 1:5 or 1:6.
- Russia's international isolation: As a result of the war, Russia has become dependent on China for the first time in its history and has been forced to seek assistance from North Korea. Sanctions against Russia will remain in place until justice for Ukraine is achieved.
- Framework for ending the war: Ukraine proposes ending the war through a bilateral format. The Ukrainian President has initiated a leaders' meeting that could take place in Switzerland, Türkiye, or countries of the Arab world.
- Ceasefire: The current frontline should serve as the starting point for diplomacy. Ukraine is ready to agree to a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations, while the United States could monitor compliance along the line of contact.
- Security guarantees: The United States and European countries capable of influencing the situation must be directly involved in the settlement process to help create a new security architecture.
- Prisoner exchange and return of civilians: Ukraine is prepared to conduct an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange. In addition, significant steps must be taken to secure the return of Ukrainian children and civilians taken to Russia.
Zelenskyy stated that the war is increasingly losing support among Russians and that it is bringing increasingly negative consequences for Russia.
"Nearly half of your 26 years in power in Russia have been spent waging war against Ukraine. Whatever you may say about NATO, geopolitics, or the Russian language, this war is your personal choice — a war without a real reason. That is how history will remember it," Zelenskyy stressed.
Ceasefire and an 'all-for-all' prisoner exchange
Establishing a genuine ceasefire is the best way to begin dialogue between the two sides, Zelenskyy said. Ukraine agrees to a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations.
In addition, Kyiv is ready for a large-scale prisoner swap based on the "all-for-all" principle. According to the President, this could become a significant prelude to ending the war. He also stressed the need for serious steps to return civilians and children who were taken from Ukraine during the conflict.
"But we in Ukraine do not want a permanent war. We know very well that life without war is immeasurably better. We want to achieve that. I am confident that the majority of Russians are ready to respond positively to this, and you know it," Zelenskyy said.
The President emphasized the need to seek direct bilateral solutions rather than hide behind technical wording or waste time on shuttle diplomacy.
"Do not be afraid to end this war — that is the main thing required of you right now," he said.
Russia's losses and future plans
Zelenskyy noted that Russian military losses in May exceeded 30,000 killed and seriously wounded troops, with 63% of them being fatalities. The Ukrainian side documents this level of casualties every month and possesses video evidence to prove it.
"We are losing our people, and every loss is painful for us. Even when the ratio of Ukrainian losses to Russian losses is one to five or one to six, it still matters greatly," he said.
At the same time, Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russia's leadership is considering plans to continue the war through 2027 and 2028. Moscow is counting on the effectiveness of its ballistic missile capabilities, is trying to draw Belarus into the conflict, and is exploring scenarios involving Transnistria.
"Your propagandists threaten virtually all of Russia's neighbors in one way or another. Do you really want to go through all of this? The choice is yours," the letter states.
Dependence on allies and the consequences
As the fighting has increasingly affected Russian territory, Russia was forced for the first time in its history to seek assistance from North Korea and is now completely dependent on China. Moscow's hopes for sanctions relief and reduced support for Ukraine are vain.
"You are the first ruler of Russia who was forced to ask Pyongyang for help. And today you are completely dependent on China — also for the first time in Russia's history," the Ukrainian President said.
Zelenskyy warned Russia's leadership that if the war continues, they may have to fight for their own survival.
"This is not a threat from me or from Ukraine. These are facts of Russian history that you know well: when Russia grows tired, changes happen," the President emphasized.
Meeting not in Moscow or Kyiv
"The current frontline is the starting point from which the diplomatic process should begin," the President stressed.
Zelenskyy said a potential meeting does not necessarily have to take place in Moscow or Kyiv. Countries that traditionally host diplomatic peace initiatives, including Switzerland, Türkiye, or certain Arab states, could serve as venues for the talks.
"Everyone has heard your representatives say with a smile that I could supposedly come to Moscow. But after these 26 years, there is nothing for a Ukrainian leader to do in your capital, just as there is nothing for a Russian leader to do in Kyiv," the President noted.
He added that Europe must be involved because it can influence the situation. According to Zelenskyy, European participation is logical since both Ukraine and Russia will require security guarantees.
"We believe that the United States must be involved in the process, and this is what could shape the configuration of a new security architecture in our part of the world," he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said Washington does not see a military solution as a way to end the war in Ukraine, while acknowledging that peace efforts are complicated by the reluctance of the parties to make mutual compromises.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Presidential Office said that ending the war's hot phase in the coming months remains a realistic scenario. In particular, Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that Ukraine has the necessary resources and capabilities to halt active combat operations before the start of winter.
