St Petersburg, Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy published an open letter offering face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during Russia’s St Petersburg investment forum, in a move Ukrainian officials said was aimed beyond the Kremlin. The letter appeared as Putin addressed foreign news editors at the country’s flagship business event.
Letter published during investment forum
Zelenskiy released the letter on Thursday evening as Putin briefed foreign editors at the St Petersburg forum. The previous day, Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St Petersburg, sending smoke into the sky near the venue.
Message aimed at Russia’s elite and partners
According to a Ukrainian official familiar with the letter, Ukraine believes parts of Russia’s elite, including officials, businessmen and Russia’s partners, want the war to end. The official said the conflict has left Russia’s $3 trillion economy stagnant.
Competing views at the forum
The gathering has underscored differing views in Russia over the four-year-old war. Some participants said Russia should continue fighting and prepare for a prolonged confrontation with the West, while others pointed to the economic benefits of ending a war that is drawing closer.
Kyiv says offer is serious
Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and offered to meet Putin in recent months, proposals that Putin dismissed again on Friday. A Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Zelenskiy was serious about trying to revive negotiations.
Analyst says move was designed to shape perceptions
Dmytro Iarovyi, an associate professor at the Kyiv School of Economics who specializes in political psychology, said the drone strike and the letter were a coordinated effort to influence the forum’s narrative. He said the letter was intended to signal to Russian society and Western governments, especially U.S. President Donald Trump, that recent territorial gains and long-range strikes on Russia had strengthened Kyiv’s position in any negotiations.
