Putin Receives Zelensky’s Open Letter Proposing Direct Talks; Russia Signals Readiness for Dialogue

Moscow, June 2026 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has received and reviewed an “open letter” sent by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who confirmed the development overnight. The statement was reported by Russia’s state news agency TASS.

Peskov made the remarks in an interview with Izvestia on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), noting that the Russian President had been briefed on both the contents of the letter and the international reactions it has generated.

In the letter, Zelensky proposed direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us – and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky stated, according to excerpts cited in the report.

He further warned that global attention should not drift away from the conflict in Europe, stressing the urgency of renewed diplomatic engagement.

“It would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the centre of its attention,” he said.

Zelensky suggested that neutral venues such as Switzerland, Turkey, or countries in the Arab world could host the proposed talks. He also called for a clear timeline to be set for the meeting, emphasizing the need for structured dialogue between the two sides.

In a notable proposal, the Ukrainian President said that Kyiv is ready to observe a full ceasefire during negotiations, calling it a standard diplomatic practice.

“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations… We believe it would not simply be an attempt, but a real ceasefire – if that is what you want,” Zelensky noted, adding that ongoing global tensions, including developments in Iran, highlight the importance of establishing immediate calm.

According to Peskov, President Putin was also informed about varied international responses to Zelensky’s open appeal. The Kremlin spokesperson reiterated that Russia remains open to the idea of resuming negotiations.

“We still hope that the current pause will eventually be broken and that contacts will be initiated,” Peskov said, adding that Russia continues to maintain communication channels with the United States.

He further stated that Moscow was not responsible for the breakdown in dialogue.

“We are not the initiators of this silence. Putin is open to dialogue,” Peskov said, adding that if European countries abandon their stance of non-engagement, they can simply “pick up the phone and call.”

At the same time, he acknowledged that the conflict remains highly complex and unlikely to be resolved quickly, underscoring the need for sustained diplomatic efforts if negotiations are to move forward meaningfully.