Ukrainian leader suggests in-person talks in public message to Russian counterpart

Russia's President Vladimir Putin was meeting with international news agency representatives at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026, as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, in an event captured by a pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik.

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On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached out to Vladimir Putin with a proposal for a face-to-face meeting in an open letter, also expressing his willingness to implement a "full ceasefire".

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This direct appeal to Putin marks a rare instance of Zelensky addressing the Russian leader since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

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Talks aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine have been at a standstill for months, with US-led negotiations effectively stalled due to the Iran war.

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Past negotiation rounds between the two parties, held in cities such as Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, and Geneva, failed to achieve a breakthrough on the key issue of post-war territorial arrangements.

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In his letter, published on the Ukrainian presidency's website, Zelensky stated "Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you" and formally proposed a meeting with Putin.

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Zelensky also expressed Ukraine's readiness for a "full ceasefire" for the duration of any negotiations and suggested an all-for-all prisoner exchange as a potential precursor to ending the war.

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At the time of the letter's publication, Putin was concluding a meeting with foreign journalists in Saint Petersburg and had not immediately responded to Zelensky's proposal.

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Zelensky has consistently advocated for a meeting with Putin, emphasizing that direct, face-to-face talks are necessary to reach an agreement on territorial issues.

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Putin, on the other hand, has indicated that he would only consider meeting with Zelensky once a peace agreement was nearing completion.