Ukrainian leader calls for ceasefire and face-to-face meeting to pursue peace
Image: CNN
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to direct talks aimed at ending more than four years of war between the two countries.
In an open letter published on Thursday, Zelenskiy proposed a personal meeting and called for a full ceasefire throughout the negotiation process. He said diplomacy should begin from the front lines and stressed that Ukraine remains committed to peace efforts.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that the United States could help monitor any ceasefire agreement and proposed neutral venues such as Switzerland, Türkiye, or Arab countries for the talks.
At the same time, Zelenskiy warned that Ukraine would continue defending itself if no progress toward peace is made.
“We propose ending this war through direct engagement,” he wrote, urging Putin to choose a path toward peace rather than prolonged conflict.
The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter and said Putin would be briefed on its contents.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the proposal as a serious plan to end the war and said it would also be delivered through official diplomatic channels.
The initiative comes amid ongoing fighting and growing international efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
