In a significant move towards peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Zelensky’s proposal was made public in an open letter, coinciding with Putin’s appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Zelensky highlighted the growing discomfort among Russians with the war’s negative impact on their country. He pointed out that the Russian leadership has repeatedly postponed deadlines to capture Ukrainian regions, such as Donetsk, and expressed confidence that these goals would not be achieved this year.

The Ukrainian President stressed the importance of initiating peace talks without waiting for the United States to shift its focus from Iran back to the European conflict. Zelensky proposed that the meeting take place in a neutral third country and emphasized the necessity of establishing a full ceasefire as a precursor to any discussions.

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the receipt of Zelensky’s letter and mentioned that Putin would be briefed on its contents. Peskov suggested that if Zelensky wished to meet, he could travel to Moscow, a suggestion Zelensky had already dismissed as a non-starter.

Meanwhile, at the economic forum, Putin mentioned that proposals from former US President Donald Trump could serve as a foundation for peace agreements, provided both nations are willing to compromise. He noted that Russia had agreed to these compromises and expressed hope that Ukraine could be persuaded to do the same.

This development marks a potential turning point in the conflict, as both leaders express a willingness to explore diplomatic solutions. The international community will be watching closely to see if these proposed talks can lead to a lasting resolution.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.