Zelensky renews call for one-on-one talks with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his call for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of efforts to bring an end to the war between the two countries.

In an open letter addressed to President Putin, Zelensky said it would be wrong to wait for the conflict to regain the full attention of the United States, arguing that lasting peace could only be achieved through direct engagement between Ukraine and Russia.

The Ukrainian leader also called for a comprehensive ceasefire during the proposed negotiations. However, President Putin had previously rejected the idea of a full ceasefire.

Responding to the proposal, US President Donald Trump said it would be beneficial if the two leaders met to discuss a possible resolution to the conflict.

The Kremlin confirmed that it had received Zelensky’s letter and reiterated that the Ukrainian president would be welcome to meet President Putin in Moscow.

In the letter, Zelensky maintained a defiant tone, referring to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory and arguing that the war should not be allowed to continue while global attention shifts to other international issues.

Speaking to foreign journalists in St Petersburg, President Putin said he remained willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine but stressed that any settlement would require compromises from both sides.