Putin Briefed on Zelensky’s Open Letter Calling for Direct Talks, Kremlin Says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on an open letter sent by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

Speaking to the Izvestia news outlet, Peskov said the letter had already been delivered to Putin in written form and that the Russian leader had reviewed its contents.

“Yes, overnight we already handed over the written version. What came from the media was passed on to the president, and he has reviewed it. The president has been briefed,” Peskov said.

Zelensky published the open letter on Thursday, calling on Putin to meet him personally to negotiate an end to the war. He said Ukraine remained prepared to continue fighting if no agreement could be reached and argued that Russians were growing weary of both the conflict and Putin’s leadership.

Peskov added that Putin was likely to address the letter during his appearance at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum later on Friday.