Ukraine

Zelensky writes open letter to Putin: 'Let's meet'. Kremlin: "Anytime"

The letter also states: 'You have spent almost half of your 26 years in power in Russia waging war on Ukraine. Whatever you may say about Nato, geopolitics or the Russian language, this war is your personal choice: a war without a real cause. This is how history will remember it."

4 June 2026

La combo, realizzata con due immagini di archivio, mostra il presidente russo Vladimir Putin (S) e il presidente ucraino Volodymyr Zelensky.ANSA ANSA

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcome to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow "at any time". This was stated by the Kremlin today after the Ukrainian president proposed setting a date for a face-to-face meeting between the two to end the war. "Zelensky can come to Moscow at any time", state media reported citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that Putin had not yet been shown Zelensky's letter, in which the Ukrainian leader had nevertheless ruled out going to Moscow.

Zelensky had called on the Russian president, in a long open letter, to'not be afraid to take the way out of this war. This is the main thing that is required of you now". "You have spent almost half of your 26 years in power in Russia waging war on Ukraine. Whatever you may say about Nato, geopolitics or the Russian language, this war is your personal choice: a war without a real cause. This is how history will remember it,' he continued. "We often hear that you have no problem with this war," he added. "But now we can see that the Russians are finally beginning to accept this reality with less serenity, namely the fact that the war is bringing increasingly negative consequences to Russia." "But we in Ukraine do not want a permanent war. We know very well that life without war is infinitely better. And we want to achieve this,' the Ukrainian leader continued, saying he was 'convinced that most Russians would react positively to this too, and you know it'.

Trump: "Putin and Zelensky must meet"

"It would be great if they met, they have to," said Donald Trump speaking about Voldymyr Zelensky's letter to Vladimir Putin.

Ucraina, Mosca: "Fine guerra oggi se Kiev lascia i territori russi"

In the meantime, Germany, France and the UK are reportedly working with Ukraine to draw up a plan for talks with Russia to end the war, as they see a change of scenery that strengthens the position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to Bloomberg reports today, representatives from Berlin, London, and Paris are discussing the possibility of talks involving the Ukrainian and Russian sides. The newspaper's sources say that in the context of the protracted US-led negotiations and increasing Russian troop losses in the battlefield standoff,the three European countries see an opportunity to potentially bring Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

The sources also stressed that the final decision on whether to continue negotiations with Russia rests with Zelensky and that European countries will not pressure the Ukrainian president to adopt a strategy with which he disagrees. Furthermore, according to the sources, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in the coming days.

Zelensky's open letter to Putin

"Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire for the duration of negotiations" with Russia to end the war, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in his open letter to Vladimir Putin, published on the Ukrainian presidency website. "The attempt to establish a real truce is the best way to start dialogue", he added.

"This is standard practice, also confirmed by the circumstances around Iran. The attempt to establish a real truce is the best starting point to start talking to each other. We believe that it will not be just an attempt, but a real ceasefire, if you want it,' the Ukrainian leader argued.

"You know that the monitoring of the ceasefire along the line of contact can be ensured by the United States", Zelensky argued, stating that "Ukraine is ready for the exchange of POWs according to the 'all for all' principle, and this can become a good prelude to the end of the war".

"Serious steps must be taken for the return of the civilians and children who were taken away during the war. We need to define what the future will be for all the next generations of Ukrainians and Russians," Zelensky reiterated.

'If you personally, in your thoughts, do not come to the idea that this war is time to end it, Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence. We will have those who will support us," the Ukrainian president concluded.

Putin: 'No ceasefire necessary for peace negotiations'

No ceasefire is necessary to start negotiations for the end of the conflict in Ukraine. This was Russian President Vladimir Putin's response. "There is no need to suspend hostilities to start negotiations," the Kremlin chief said in response to a question during a meeting with the heads of several international news agencies. This was reported by the Interfax news agency. Putin also reiterated this evening thatformer German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder might negotiate with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine. "I was surprised by the reaction to what I said about Mr Schroeder as a possible negotiator," Putin said in a meeting with the heads of several international agencies, referring to negative reactions from EU countries. "He," the Kremlin chief continued, "is not a friend of Putin. He is first and foremost a German politician, and one of the best, in my opinion, because he has his own position and the courage to defend it'.