At the end of May, against the backdrop of the ongoing military conflict, an event occurred that could have far-reaching geopolitical consequences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attempted to make direct contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, using one of Russia's most influential businessmen — Roman Abramovich — as an intermediary.

Communication Channel via an Oligarch

According to sources cited by the Financial Times, on May 21, Zelenskyy personally asked Abramovich to deliver an important message to Putin. The essence of the message was the Ukrainian leader's readiness to hold a bilateral meeting at a summit. This proposal would have been an unprecedented step, as more than four years have passed since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine without any personal contacts between the heads of state.

Open Letter and Conditions for the Meeting

The content of the message delivered through Abramovich was confirmed two weeks later. On June 4, Zelenskyy published an open letter to Vladimir Putin on the official presidential website, which, according to Ukrainian officials, duplicated the essence of the message sent to the oligarch.

The document clearly outlined the conditions for starting a dialogue:

  • Meeting Location: Zelenskyy proposed neutral territories — Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab countries. A meeting in Moscow or Kyiv is excluded.
  • Ceasefire: Ukraine is ready to stop hostilities during negotiations. Monitoring compliance with the ceasefire, according to the President's proposal, could be ensured by the USA.
  • Prisoner Exchange: A key requirement became the principle of "all for all".
  • Return of Civilians: The list of requirements includes the return of Ukrainian children and civilians taken to the territory of the Russian Federation.
  • Security Guarantees: These must be provided with the direct participation of the USA and European countries.

Situation Assessment and Losses of the Sides

In his address, Zelenskyy cited shocking statistics on the losses of the Russian army. According to his data, in May alone, Russia lost more than 30,000 people killed and seriously wounded, with 63% of them killed. The President also noted Russia's geopolitical isolation, pointing out that the country is for the first time in history completely dependent on China and was forced to ask North Korea for military aid.

Kyiv's Reaction to Moscow's "Formula for Peace"

In response to Kyiv's initiatives, Moscow voiced its own "formula for peace," implying "compromises." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also made a statement about peace negotiations, which Kyiv called absurd.

The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybyga (referred to as Sybyga in the source text), commented on the situation harshly. He stated that Vladimir Putin is missing the chance to "get out of a failed war." According to the minister, a refusal to engage in dialogue will lead to the situation for Russia only worsening: inevitably rising losses on the battlefield, deepening recession in the economy, and increased international pressure.