Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting aimed at ending the more than four-year-old war between the two countries.

In an open letter to Putin, Zelensky urged immediate negotiations and called for a full ceasefire during the talks, arguing that it would be wrong to wait for the conflict to regain the full attention of the United States.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us,” Zelensky wrote, suggesting that any meeting could take place in countries such as Switzerland or Turkey.

The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter and said Putin would be briefed on its contents. However, the Russian leader reiterated Moscow’s position that any peace agreement would require significant compromises from Kyiv, including territorial concessions that Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.

Speaking in St. Petersburg, Putin said he remained willing to reach an agreement but questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, citing the absence of presidential elections in Ukraine since 2024. Kyiv maintains that elections cannot be held while martial law remains in force due to the war.

The renewed diplomatic push comes amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and continuing hostilities between the two countries.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the prospect of direct talks, saying, “It would be great if they met. They should. Get it done.”