Zelenskiy offers peace to Putin, in an extensive letter about the situation in Russia and the course of the war in Ukraine: “This is how history will remember him”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written an open letter to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting in a neutral country, challenging him to set a concrete date for the meeting, according to The Kyiv Independent, which published the full text of the letter.
In his message, Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleads for an immediate reopening of peace negotiations and claims that Ukraine's power is growing.
He also talks about how relations between the two countries have changed during Vladimir Putin's 26 years in power, to which “many in Ukraine had a positive attitude” at first, but “that's already in the past”.
“You spent almost half of your 26 years in power in Russia at war against Ukraine. Whatever you say about NATO, geopolitics and the Russian language, this war is your personal choice – a war without a real reason. This is how history will remember it,” the Ukrainian leader said in the letter to his Russian counterpart.
“You will not have enough money and political power to continue to buy the loyalty of the Russians”
Zelenskiy suggested that Russians are losing patience with the effects of the war, from the actual attacks of Ukrainian forces with drones and missiles on Russia, mobilizations and the “shortage of gasoline and the constant increase in prices” or “constant bans”.
“You will not have enough money and political power to continue to buy the loyalty of the Russians, as you have done for 26 years. We will do everything possible to make sure that the world takes care of this,” the Ukrainian president continued.
He claims that over 30,000 Russians died or were seriously injured on the Ukrainian front in May. On the other hand, Zelensky said that Ukrainians do not want “a permanent war” and that, in his opinion, “the majority of Russians are ready to give a positive answer” in this regard.
“Don't be afraid to get out of the war – this is the main thing that is needed from you right now,” Zelensky added, adding among other things that Putin is “the first Russian leader who was forced to turn to Pyongyang for help” and today is “completely dependent on China – also for the first time in Russian history.”
Zelensky challenges Putin to a face-to-face meeting
The Ukrainian president claims to have seen intelligence reports that Putin is considering war plans for 2027 and 2028.
“The choice is yours now. No more war (…). We see that the United States is giving all its attention to the issue of Iran, and it is wrong to simply wait for its attention to turn to the war in Europe. Ukraine proposes to end the war in the format between us and you. I propose a meeting with you,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.
He believes that along the way, Europe and the United States can also join the talks, given that both Ukraine and Russia need security guarantees.
“Through your war, you have separated Ukraine and Russia forever. The front line now is the line where diplomacy should begin. Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire – for the time being when negotiations continue.
Instead, if Vladimir Putin rejects the peace offer, Volodymyr Zelensky said “Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence” and will have those who support it.
“But you will have to fight much more for your existence – not Russia's, but your own. And this is not a threat from me or from Ukraine. These are facts of Russian history that you know well: when Russia gets tired, changes occur,” the Ukrainian president said.
