Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he achieved his goal by publishing an open letter to Vladimir Putin.
“I had a goal when I sent the letter to Putin. I think I got the result I needed,” the Ukrainian president said at a press conference after his meeting with Baltic leaders.
He clarified that he could not yet say what exactly that result entailed, but added that the letter was meant to show Ukraine’s allies who is ready for peace and who is not.
Zelensky also addressed a separate letter to Donald Trump. Commenting on it, the Ukrainian president explained that he had different goals. “For example, in addressing the United States, I really wanted to do everything possible to at least somewhat shift their attention from the Middle East to the situation in Ukraine,” Zelensky said, adding that the country needs “serious missile defense capabilities.”
On June 4, Zelensky published an open letter to Vladimir Putin in which he proposed ending the war “through direct dialogue” and a personal meeting. Russia’s president responded the following day during a plenary address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Putin described Zelensky’s letter as rude, claiming that he’s never refused meetings. He also repeated that the Ukrainian president is “welcome to come to Moscow.” Putin concluded his response with a message to Russian troops: “Get to work, brothers.”
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