Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.Image: keystone
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening.
June 4, 2026, 9:44 p.mJune 4, 2026, 10:00 p.m
The text, which was published on the website of the Ukrainian presidential office and on Zelensky’s X account, addresses the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
When Putin came to power in Russia over 26 years ago, many Ukrainians had a positive image of him. Now it is the case that they have a positive image of the Ukrainian long-range drones that landed near St. Petersburg this week, writes Zelensky.
Putin spent almost half of his 26 years in office waging war against Ukraine, he writes. He is alluding to the Russian invasion and annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, which has since then de facto belonged to Russia. Putin personally wanted this war, which had no real reason, and that is how history will remember him.
Warning words
One often hears that Putin is satisfied with the way the war is going, but one can also see that the Russian people are increasingly dissatisfied – with the drone strikes, with the high gasoline prices, with the constant repression. Putin is not only losing the support of the population, but also increasingly the resources – especially the manpower due to the high losses at the front – to wage the war.
Meeting – possibly in Switzerland
Zelensky therefore suggested a meeting to end the war. This should take place neither in Moscow nor in Kyiv; instead in Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab country. There are enough countries that would like to host such a meeting.
European countries and the USA should be included in the discussions, especially since they can offer the guarantees desired by both sides. Ukraine is ready to accept a comprehensive ceasefire for the duration of the talks and to carry out an all-for-all prisoner exchange.
And finally, Zelensky admonishes Putin: “You can end your war.”
(cpf)