Overwhelming developments emerge on the diplomatic front of Ukraine, with the country president Volodymyr Zelensky publishing an open letter to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing the commencement of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and the holding of a face to face meeting to discuss the termination of the conflict. Indeed, the relevant document was released to the public through the website of the Ukrainian president. He stated that Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire during the negotiations, while he expressed the conviction that the United States could oversee this truce. It is noted that a little earlier, the Russian president Vladimir Putin pointed out from the St. Petersburg Forum that Moscow is open to a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, but rushed to note that the agreement should harmonize with what was agreed with Donald Trump in Alaska. At the same time, he dissociated the battles in Donbass from the negotiations, implying that the Russian army will continue to fight for the liberation of its historical territories by any means.
Universal prisoner exchange and designation of a neutral country for negotiations
Specifically, Kyiv also proposes an all for all type of prisoner exchange, the return of citizens and children, and subsequently a discussion on long term security guarantees. In the letter, Zelensky proposed the designation of a specific date for the meeting, noting that this could take place in Switzerland, in Turkey, or in some Arab country.
He stated that the United States and the European countries could subsequently join the bilateral format as potential guarantors of future agreements. Earlier, Vladimir Putin reflected on the thoughts he would have during the signing of a hypothetical peace agreement with Ukraine. "Thank God, everything is over", these would be the words that the Russian leader would utter with relief, as he characteristically said.
The Kremlin received the Zelensky letter - The president will examine it
Reacting, the Kremlin announced that it "received and saw" the open letter of Volodymyr Zelensky to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, as confirmed to journalists by Dmitry Peskov, the press representative of the president. "Yes, we saw it, he published it during the presidential event. The president has not yet had the opportunity to examine it", stated Dmitry Peskov.
"This will be reported to the president after the completion of the working part of the visit of the Uzbek president", he himself clarified.
Peskov: We await Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow
Subsequently, Moscow left open the possibility of a direct meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the Ukrainian president can travel to the Russian capital at any time provided he wishes for talks. "President Putin has said that if Zelensky wants to discuss, he can come to Moscow and do it", Peskov reported, according to RIA Novosti. The statement came as a response to the open letter of Volodymyr Zelensky, through which he called the Russian president to a meeting aiming at seeking a solution for the termination of the conflict. In his letter, the Ukrainian president proposed that the meeting take place on neutral territory, mentioning as potential locations Switzerland, Turkey, or some Arab country. The response of Moscow transfers the discussion to a different basis, as the Kremlin appears willing for dialogue, but indicates Moscow as the location of an eventual summit meeting. This exchange comes in a period during which the diplomatic efforts for the termination of the war remain stagnant, while military operations continue on the fronts of Ukraine.
I would say to Zelensky... "thank God" that everything is over - We will sign an agreement with a legitimate Ukrainian representative
A little earlier, positioning himself at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, the Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed what he would say to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if he met with him for the signing of a peace agreement, during a meeting with the heads of the leading news agencies of the world. "Thank God that all this is over", was the phrase proposed by the Russian President.
At the same time, he made it clear that he could sign an agreement with Zelensky, despite the questions of Russia regarding his legitimacy. According to him, Moscow wishes to sign a peace agreement with Ukraine "with persons who are undoubtedly legitimate in the full sense of the word". "There are many options — the president of the Verkhovna Rada, perhaps Zelensky himself. Where there is a will, we will find a way to formalize it", stated Putin. He himself also reiterated that the presidential powers of Zelensky "expired" in May 2024.
Russia open to a solution, obstacles remain the governing elite of Kyiv and Zelensky
"Will there be elections or not? No one speaks about this anymore", noted Putin. He also added that "whether Zelensky is the legitimate representative of Ukraine constitutes an issue of legal analysis". In addition, he left hints that the governing circles of Ukraine "do not want the war to end" because they risk losing power. Putin believes that the settlement in Ukraine has proven more difficult than the US President Donald Trump expected. In any case, the Russian President noted that his American counterpart is sincerely committed to the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis and that his proposals for Ukraine could constitute the basis of the peace agreements. Putin gave emphasis to his desire for a diplomatic termination of the war in Ukraine, adding that Russia had agreed to "certain compromises" in Alaska – but Ukraine has not consented to them yet. "We want to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means, and based on what we discussed with President Trump in Anchorage", stated the Russian President.
We have conquered 2.44 square kilometers in Donbass - We control 88% of Zaporizhia
Proceeding to a revealing account of the operations, Vladimir Putin underlined that only in recent months the Russian army has placed under its control approximately 2.44 million square kilometers of territory in Donbass. More specifically, Russia has placed under its full control the Lugansk People's Republic and over 85% of the territories of the Donetsk People's Republic. Until recently, Ukraine controlled approximately 25%, while now it controls less than 15%, at a time when Russia also controls approximately 80% of Zaporizhia.
The Ukrainians are being crushed, they have 40,000 casualties and 20,000 desertions per month
At the same time, the situation inside the Ukrainian forces is described as dramatic, as approximately 20,000 people desert from the Ukrainian Armed Forces every month, as explained by the leader of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin explained the root of the problem, pointing out that people are being removed by force and there is no motivation to fight, resulting in the greatest problem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces today being the catastrophic shortage of personnel, as monthly losses amount to approximately 40,000 soldiers. Amidst this setting, Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact and there is no point where they do not have a presence. Concluding, Vladimir Putin, answering a relevant question from the Associated Press, signaled clearly that the consolidation of Russia control over Donbass comes into no contradiction with the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict through the diplomatic route.
Zelensky requested a truce before the winter - The pounding on Kyiv bent Ukraine - Triumph of Russia
The Oreshnik missiles, which targeted the heart of Kyiv in May, seem to have bent the Kyiv regime, since Volodymyr Zelensky requested the establishment of a truce with Russia, at the latest by the coming winter, as revealed on 1/6 to RBC Ukraine by his chief of staff, Kirill Budanov. "I confirm that this is indeed his own effort to terminate the battles as soon as possible, preferably before the winter. And I, as the head of the presidential office, will certainly do everything possible for the goal set by the Ukrainian President to be achieved. In my view, it is absolutely correct, timely, well thought out, and realistic", the head of the presidential office of Ukraine characteristically noted.
Indeed, Kyiv makes an impressive 180 degree turn, underlining that, now, there are "real signs that the bases for a ceasefire exist". In any case, although official Kyiv begs for a truce by the winter of 2026/7, amid powerful Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, it is noted that Russia has not positioned itself officially, nor has it commented on the relevant possibility. The establishment of a truce needs... two parties and Moscow does not seem for the time being disposed toward something like that - at least not as long as the pending matters of... Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, in the territory of Donbass, remain open.
Budanov bombshell: Zelensky requested a truce by the coming winter
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will try to achieve a cessation of hostilities before the winter, according to the head of his office, Kirill Budanov, as transmitted by RBC-Ukraine. "I confirm that this is indeed his own effort to terminate the battles as soon as possible, preferably before the winter. And I, as the head of the presidential office, will certainly do everything possible for the goal set by the Ukrainian President to be achieved. In my view, it is absolutely correct, timely, well thought out, and realistic", he noted.
According to him, there are now "real signs that the bases for a ceasefire exist". In a recent interview with CBS News, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that there is a window of opportunity for negotiations with Russia before the winter.
Zelensky tactics: I want "real negotiations" within the next 6 months
He noted that a diplomatic route must be found so that "we sit and talk before the next winter". In late May, Ukrainska Pravda, citing a source, reported that Volodymyr Zelensky stated his intention to achieve the readiness of Russia for "real" negotiations within the next six months. Also, on 25 May, Olha Vasilevska-Smaglyuk, a member of parliament from the faction Servant of the People in the Verkhovna Rada, reported on her Telegram channel that Volodymyr Zelensky had stated that the "warm phase" of the conflict could be terminated by November.
In addition, the source stated to RBC-Ukraine that the Americans intend to "calm" the Ukrainian crisis before the midterm elections for Congress, which will be conducted on 3 November 2026. In any case, it is noted that so far the actions of the special envoys of Trump in Eastern Europe have not brought sufficient results.
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