Zelenskyy proposes direct meeting with Putin to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently extended an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a direct face-to-face meeting to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Dated June 4, 2026, the letter suggests setting a clear date for these talks, ideally held in a neutral country such as Switzerland, Türkiye, or an Arab state, explicitly ruling out Moscow or Kyiv as venues.

In his proposal, President Zelenskyy outlined several conditions aimed at fostering peace. He suggested implementing a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations, conducting an "all-for-all" exchange of prisoners of war, and ensuring the return of civilians and children displaced by the conflict. This initiative comes as the war enters its fifth year, with Ukraine also noting a shift in U.S. attention towards the conflict in Iran, underscoring the urgency for direct engagement between the two leaders.