Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in an open letter, urging direct engagement to end the war. He proposed a full ceasefire during negotiations and suggested Switzerland or Turkey as possible venues. President Trump endorsed the idea, saying it would be "great" if the two leaders met.
Zelensky warned it would be "wrong to simply wait" for US attention to shift back from Iran. Putin, speaking at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, signaled openness to talks but questioned Zelensky's legitimacy and insisted on controlling the Donbas region. The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter, and Putin will be briefed.
Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated the US stance on Ukraine is "no different" from Europe's, adding, "Biden's war has become Trump's war."