Zelensky has put forward an initiative to cease hostilities prior to a personal meeting with Putin
President Volodymyr Zelensky once again emphasized his readiness for dialogue with the Russian leadership and proposed an idea that could change the course of the current war. The head of state suggests that Russia implement a ceasefire in the combat zone before a personal meeting between the leaders of the two countries — the Ukrainian President and Vladimir Putin. According to him, Ukraine is open to such a meeting at any time and in any format and location convenient for the Russians, mentioning possible options such as Istanbul, the Vatican, or Switzerland. Zelensky announced his initiative during a briefing on June 4, highlighting that the Ukrainian side is prepared for dialogue and has no reservations regarding the date of the meeting. His words clearly demonstrate a desire to quickly resume negotiations and find ways to de-escalate tensions. According to his position, a ceasefire prior to the personal meeting is a necessary step toward mutual understanding. "We propose that the Russians cease fire just before our meeting, so that we can speak continuously and openly. A personal meeting is important to reduce tension and agree on further conflict resolution. We are ready to meet any day, in any format, including Istanbul, the Vatican, or Switzerland. These are our proposals, and we are open to them from Monday," Zelensky stated. From his words, it follows that the initiative also has another important goal — to establish that the ceasefire itself must be a prerequisite for productive negotiations. If the Russians refuse such a step or attempt to sabotage the process, the fighting will be automatically halted, and the sides will be able to return to dialogue on a new basis. If there is a desire to find a compromise and continue the dialogue, the ceasefire regime will continue with the possibility of adjustments and deepening the agreed-upon terms — with the support of American guarantees and international monitoring as additional assurances of transparency and trust. According to Zelensky, if Russia is not interested in a long-term ceasefire, Ukraine is ready to meet as early as June 5. This indicates his desire to accelerate the negotiation process and seek a quick resolution to the conflict. "We believe all parties will benefit from a prompt and constructive dialogue. After all, if they truly want to end the war, such a meeting will be the first step toward a peaceful settlement," he emphasized. Additionally, Zelensky added that he has repeatedly received confirmation of support from Ukraine's allies and partners. Specifically, his words were supported by Presidents Joe Biden of the United States and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, who have previously expressed interest in similar negotiation formats. He emphasized that Ukrainian authorities remain open to any form of dialogue and believes that an off-site meeting in the format proposed by the president could be key to a faster resolution of the conflict and Ukraine’s return to peaceful life. Thus, Zelensky’s initiative is not just a call for a ceasefire but also a diplomatic proposal aimed at breaking the deadlock in negotiations and finding a quick and effective solution to the conflict based on a personal meeting. At the same time, it includes mechanisms for guarantees and international support, intended to increase the chances of success of such a diplomatic effort.