Zelenskyy’s letter to Putin may have been intended for several recipients and served several political purposes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has published an open letter proposing face-to-face peace talks to end the war. Formally, the letter was addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin; however, according to sources speaking to Reuters, its content was also intended for a wider audience.
The letter appeared on the evening of 5 June, whilst Vladimir Putin was speaking to foreign editors at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. The day before, Ukrainian drones had attacked an oil terminal in St Petersburg, after which thick smoke rose over the area near the forum venue.
According to a Ukrainian official familiar with the letter’s contents, Kyiv believes that a section of the Russian elite, including officials, businesspeople and Russia’s partners, are keen to see an end to the war, which, he said, has caused a $3 trillion stagnation in the Russian economy.
The St Petersburg forum, the agency notes, highlighted differing views within Russia on the war. Some participants advocated continuing hostilities and preparing for a protracted confrontation with the West. Others emphasised the economic benefits of ending the war.
Reuters notes that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been calling for a ceasefire for several months and has offered to hold a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin. The Russian president has, as before, rejected this proposal.
A Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the agency that Zelenskyy is serious about resuming negotiations.
Meanwhile, Dmytro Yarovyi, an associate professor at the Kyiv School of Economics who specialises in political psychology, believes that the drone strike and the open letter were part of an attempt to influence the forum’s information agenda.
According to him, the appeal was intended to demonstrate to Russian society and Western governments, primarily US President Donald Trump, that Ukraine’s recent territorial gains and long-range strikes on Russian territory have strengthened Kyiv’s position in potential negotiations.
Kurt Volker, former US Ambassador to NATO and US Special Representative for Ukraine during Donald Trump’s first administration, also noted the shift in the situation.
“Trump always says that ‘Ukraine has no cards to play’. Well, now Ukraine is showing that it is in a stronger position,” Volker said.
The agency notes that months of peace talks backed by the US have failed to yield results, as the parties continue to stick to their positions.
During a conversation with foreign editors, Vladimir Putin stated that talks with Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, last year had already outlined the conditions necessary to end the conflict. Reuters notes that this refers to Russia’s demand for the transfer of the remaining territory of Donbas to it.
Against this backdrop, the agency writes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears less inclined to yield to American pressure regarding territorial concessions.
In his letter, the President of Ukraine noted that he welcomes the United States’ participation in the negotiations, but stressed that Ukrainian issues “will not be resolved in Anchorage”, but must be resolved by Ukraine and Russia. The letter also states that Russia can no longer count on receiving the whole of Donbas.
