Ukrainian President's open letter to Russian President, renews bid to end war

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war and has also proposed a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.

According to a news agency, President Zelensky wrote in a letter to President Putin that there has already been enough fighting and that it is now up to Putin to make a decision. He stated that Ukraine is prepared to agree to a ceasefire during negotiations.

The letter further said that if Russia is not willing to accept a ceasefire, Ukraine is prepared to continue fighting. Zelensky also asserted that Russian forces would not be able to capture the Donetsk region this year.

According to a Kremlin spokesperson, Zelensky’s letter has not yet been presented to President Putin. The spokesperson added that Zelensky is welcome to come to Moscow and meet with Putin whenever he wishes.

It is worth noting that Russia recently took control of 2,440 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, while Russian forces continue to advance in Ukraine.

Speaking to the media during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Putin said that Russia now has full control of the Luhansk region and could potentially gain control of the broader Donbas area. He warned that Ukraine could lose more territory.

Putin also stated that Russia has consistently cooperated with China in the military sphere and will continue to do so. He added that India–U.S. relations have never been an obstacle to Russia–India ties and reiterated that Russia is prepared to deal with Ukraine through peaceful means.