The European Union has endorsed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after Mr Zelensky published an open letter urging a face-to-face meeting to discuss ending the war that has lasted for more than four years.
EU spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said the bloc welcomed both Mr Zelensky’s proposal for direct negotiations and his call for a ceasefire, stressing that Ukraine and Europe both want peace, reports RTE.
In the letter, which was also shared with several countries including the United States, Mr Zelensky argued that many Russians have become weary of the conflict due to continuing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, rising inflation and fuel shortages.
He warned that with the United States increasingly focused on tensions involving Iran, it would be a mistake to wait for the war in Ukraine to regain Washington’s full attention, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky said any meaningful peace process must begin on the frontline and reiterated Ukraine’s support for a complete ceasefire lasting throughout negotiations.
He described such an arrangement as standard diplomatic practice and suggested the United States could help monitor any ceasefire along the agreed line of contact, reports RTE.
The Ukrainian president proposed setting a specific date for a meeting and suggested neutral venues such as Switzerland, Turkey or countries in the Arab world that have previously hosted peace negotiations.
In a direct appeal to Mr Putin, he urged the Russian leader not to fear taking steps toward ending the war, saying Ukraine was prepared to pursue peace through direct engagement between the two leaders, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky also warned that if Russia was unwilling to pursue peace, Ukraine would continue fighting for its survival.
He further suggested that prolonged conflict could eventually threaten Mr Putin’s own position, noting that periods of public fatigue and dissatisfaction have historically led to major political change in Russia, reports RTE.
The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter and said Mr Putin had been informed of its contents.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the proposal would also be formally delivered through diplomatic channels and described it as a serious and practical roadmap for ending the conflict, reports RTE.
Mr Sybiha said Ukraine is now awaiting a substantive response from Moscow, adding that the time has come to choose peace and bring the war to an end.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Mr Zelensky’s initiative and said the moment had arrived for renewed dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, reports RTE.
Speaking at a summit of European Union and Balkan leaders in Montenegro, Mr Macron said it is now up to Ukraine and Russia to agree both a ceasefire and a framework for peace, while Europe stands ready to assist those efforts.
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