President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has issued an open letter directed at Russian President Vladimir V. Putin. This letter emerges after a series of Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia and recent military shifts favoring Ukraine. The letter, shared on Zelensky’s official website, extends an offer to resume peace talks while addressing Putin’s setbacks in the war, Russia’s reliance on China, and highlighting his advancing age.

Throughout the conflict, Zelensky has periodically released video messages aimed at both Putin and the Russian populace, dating back to the initial day of Moscow’s invasion in 2022. Remarks in this latest letter were some of his most direct criticisms of Putin thus far.

Zelensky pointed out that Putin has spent nearly half of his 26-year leadership engaged in conflict with Ukraine. This timeline includes the military actions in eastern Ukraine, starting in 2014, and the ongoing full-scale invasion that began in 2022. Zelensky proposed a cease-fire should Putin express interest.

He also suggested stepping away from the previous negotiation process initiated by the Trump administration, which ceased following the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Instead, Zelensky proposed involving European countries and organizing a leadership summit in a neutral location such as Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab country. While he has previously offered direct meetings with Putin, no substantial progress has been achieved.