Russian President Vladimir Putin has received and read an open letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposing direct talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on 5 June on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Peskov's disclosure, made in an interview with Russian outlet Izvestia, marks one of the clearest public signals from Moscow of willingness to re-engage since the war entered its current phase.

What Zelensky's Letter Proposed

In his open letter, Zelensky called for a direct meeting with Putin, framing it as a path to ending the conflict through face-to-face engagement. 'Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,' Zelensky wrote.

He suggested Switzerland, Turkey, and countries of the Arab world as potential host venues, and called for a fixed date to be set. Zelensky also offered a full ceasefire for the duration of any negotiations, describing it as standard diplomatic practice. 'An attempt to establish real silence is the best way to begin talking to one another,' he noted, adding that he believed a genuine ceasefire — not merely a symbolic one — was achievable if both sides willed it.

Kremlin's Response and Russia's Position

Peskov confirmed that Putin was also briefed on the varied reactions of world leaders to Zelensky's letter. He indicated that Russia remains interested in resuming negotiations, even as talks have stalled. 'We still hope that the current pause will eventually be broken. And some contacts will be initiated,' Peskov said, noting that Moscow continues to maintain communication with Washington through existing channels.

On Europe's reluctance to engage, Peskov was pointed: 'We are not the initiators of this silence. Putin is open to dialogue. Therefore, if Europeans abandon their paradigm of non-communication with Russia, they just need to pick up the phone and dial the number.' He cautioned, however, that the Ukraine conflict is deeply complex and would not be resolved quickly or easily.

Why This Moment Matters

The exchange comes amid a broader diplomatic churn. Zelensky's letter references 'current developments around Iran' as a parallel example of how ceasefire-first diplomacy can create space for negotiation — a framing that signals Kyiv is watching other global flashpoints for tactical lessons.

Notably, this is one of the first times since the breakdown of earlier Istanbul-format talks that the Kremlin has publicly acknowledged receiving a direct communication from Zelensky and has responded with language suggesting openness rather than rejection. Past Russian statements have largely dismissed Ukrainian peace proposals as preconditioned or insincere.

What Comes Next

No meeting date has been confirmed, and the Kremlin has not formally accepted Zelensky's proposal. Western governments, several of which have maintained a policy of limiting direct diplomatic contact with Moscow, will face renewed pressure to clarify their positions. Analysts note that the path from an open letter to a negotiating table remains long, and any ceasefire arrangement would require verification mechanisms that neither side has yet outlined.