6 June, 2026 | 2:14 AM
In open letter, Zelenskyy seeks face-to-face talks with Putin to end four-year conflict
06-06-2026 12:00:00 AM
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for direct engagement between the two sides to end the over four-year war.
In an open letter to Putin, Zelenskyy urged Russia to agree to a full ceasefire before negotiations begin. “Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us and you. I am proposing a meeting,” he wrote, arguing peace could only be achieved through direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
The Kremlin confirmed it had received Zelenskyy’s letter but did not immediately indicate whether Putin would accept the proposal.
Speaking later during an interaction with heads of leading global news agencies in St Petersburg, Putin said Russia was prepared to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine if Kyiv accepted certain compromises discussed with US President Trump during their meeting in Anchorage last year. “Without doubt, we are ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means and based on what we have discussed at the meeting with President Trump in Anchorage,” Putin said.
He added Moscow had already accepted the compromises discussed during the talks. “Russia agrees to the compromises discussed in Anchorage. It is necessary Ukraine also agrees to make them. Then, the conflict will be resolved naturally and quickly,” he said.
Putin said Russian forces continued to advance across the battlefield and claimed Moscow had recently brought about 2,440 sqkm of territory under its control. —AP
House Passes Ukraine Aid
US House passed legislation to provide Ukraine with over $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid while imposing fresh sanctions on key sectors of the Russian economy. The measure, approved 226-195, would make $8 billion available for Ukraine’s defence through loans. Sponsored by Representative Gregory Meeks, the bill reflects growing congressional frustration with Trump’s approach to the war.
