Full text of Zelensky's open letter to Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 4, one day after Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on St. Petersburg. Zelensky proposed meeting Putin in a neutral country to restart peace negotiations, framing the war as Putin’s personal choice with no valid justification. He noted that 26 years of Putin’s rule had shifted relations from economic cooperation to conflict, with nearly half his presidency spent fighting Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized Russia’s growing vulnerabilities, including public dissatisfaction with the war, economic hardships like fuel shortages, and the high cost of maintaining mobilization. He cited Ukrainian military reports claiming over 30,000 Russian casualties in May, with 63% killed—a ratio unsustainable for modern armies. Zelensky argued that Russia’s resources are dwindling, making it harder for Putin to sustain loyalty through financial and political control. The letter accused Putin of delaying the capture of Ukrainian regions, particularly Donetsk, while prolonging the war without resolution. Zelensky stressed Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate but rejected the idea of an endless conflict, emphasizing the human toll on both sides. He framed the war as a failure of Putin’s leadership, one that history would remember as unjustified and self-destructive. Zelensky also highlighted Russia’s internal struggles, including inflation, mobilization fatigue, and public resentment toward the war’s direction. He warned that Putin’s attempts to expand the conflict risk further isolating Russia while strengthening Ukraine’s position. The letter concluded by urging Putin to recognize the futility of continued hostilities and engage in serious talks to end the suffering. The full text of the letter was published on the Ukrainian presidential website, marking a direct appeal to Putin amid escalating military tensions. Zelensky’s offer for a neutral meeting underscored Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to shift the conflict toward peace negotiations.