Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a face-to-face meeting in a neutral location as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict between their nations. In a public letter to Putin, Zelenskyy proposed that discussions could take place in countries such as Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab nation, emphasizing the need for key decisions to be made through direct dialogue between the leaders. He urged that a specific date be set for these crucial talks.
As part of his proposal, Zelenskyy offered a full ceasefire during the negotiations and advocated for an all-encompassing prisoner exchange as an initial step to build trust. He also demanded the return of Ukrainian civilians and children who have been taken from conflict-affected areas. This initiative comes amidst ongoing military operations from both sides, with Russia ramping up aerial attacks on Ukraine and Ukraine expanding its long-range drone strikes into Russian territory.
In response to this diplomatic overture, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the potential meeting, noting that achieving a settlement would require concessions from both parties involved. Such negotiations, he suggested, could be a significant step towards peace.
The Kremlin acknowledged that Putin had been informed of Zelenskyy’s proposal, although Russian officials indicated that the details of the suggestion had not yet been thoroughly reviewed. Despite this, Zelenskyy’s call for negotiations marks a notable moment in the ongoing efforts to bring an end to hostilities.