President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine recently addressed President Vladimir V. Putin in an open letter published on the Ukrainian president’s website. The letter followed a series of Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia and recent advances by Ukraine on the battlefield.
In the letter, Zelensky offered to resume peace talks with Putin. However, he also criticized the Russian leader for wartime failures, rising inflation, and reliance on China. Additionally, Zelensky commented on Putin’s advancing age.
This communication marked one of Zelensky’s most direct addresses to Putin. He has previously recorded video statements for Putin and the Russian public, including one on the first day of Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Zelensky pointed out that Putin has spent nearly half of his 26-year tenure as Russia’s leader involved in conflict with Ukraine. This timeline includes Russia’s military intervention in eastern Ukraine, which began in 2014, and the full-scale invasion launched in 2022.
The Ukrainian president proposed a cease-fire, indicating readiness for direct talks if Putin agrees. Zelensky expressed willingness to engage in discussions outside the existing Trump administration-led negotiations by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which stalled due to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Zelensky suggested inviting European nations to the negotiations and considered holding the leaders’ meeting in Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab country. Though he has previously offered direct meetings with Putin, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.