Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign a ceasefire agreement to end hostilities, as both sides work toward organizing a long-term peace summit—more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on June 4, Zelensky said such a summit could potentially involve Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and former U.S. President Donald Trump, since two prior rounds of lower-level negotiations have failed to bring an end to the war.
“We are ready for a prisoner exchange, but continuing diplomatic talks in Istanbul at a level that doesn’t move anything forward seems pointless,” Zelensky stated.
“My proposal—which I believe our partners can support—is to offer the Russians a ceasefire until the leaders meet. We’re open to such a meeting anytime,” he added.
Zelensky’s call follows the June 2 talks in Istanbul—the second round of direct negotiations between the two sides in three years—which ended without any breakthrough. The delegations only exchanged proposals for a potential peace deal.
Among other points, Ukraine has proposed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, a full prisoner exchange, and the return of Ukrainian children that Kyiv claims have been abducted by Russia.
Russia’s proposal, by contrast, calls for international recognition of Crimea—which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014—as well as recognition of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.
Zelensky accused the Kremlin of not being serious about pursuing a peace agreement—an accusation echoed by several Western nations—claiming Moscow’s aim is to delay or weaken a new round of harsh U.S. economic sanctions.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed Zelensky’s claims, insisting that the direct negotiations have been working and have produced results.
Lavrov said Moscow should not fall for what he called “Ukraine’s criminal provocations,” and should instead use negotiations and other means to achieve its strategic objectives in Ukraine.
