--- title: "Zelenskyy writes to Putin: Ukraine ready for 'all-for-all' prisoner exchange and ceasefire for negotiations" description: "πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ Zelenskyy sent an open letter to Putin with a proposal for a ceasefire and an 'all-for-all' exchange of prisoners of war. The President stated that the war is a personal choice of the Kremlin and called on Moscow to direct negotiations in a neutral country. ⚠️ Kyiv is ready for dialogue, but demands real steps from Russia." date: 2026-06-04T18:38:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-letter-to-putin-ceasefire-and-prisoner-exchange-en tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelenskyy writes to Putin: Ukraine ready for 'all-for-all' prisoner exchange and ceasefire for negotiations ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his desk, ready for negotiations on prisoner exchange and ceasefire](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/04/zelenyi-pis'mo-putinu-prekrashchenie-ognya-i-obmen-voennoplennymi/zelenyi-pis'mo-putinu-prekrashchenie-ognya-i-obmen-voennoplennymi-1.webp) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has published an open letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In the document, the head of the Ukrainian state outlined Kyiv's clear position: the country is ready to end the military conflict through direct negotiations, but only on the condition of a real ceasefire and Moscow's willingness to engage in dialogue. ### The cost of war and historical responsibility In his address, Zelenskyy emphasized that the war has ceased to be beneficial for Russia, inflicting increasingly tangible damage. The President reminded that almost half of Putin's 26 years in power have been marked by war against Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, regardless of rhetoric about geopolitics or the protection of the Russian language, this conflict is a personal choice of the Russian leader, which history will remember as a war without a real cause. ### Specific proposals from Kyiv The Ukrainian side has formulated conditions that could serve as a starting point for a peace process. The main requirement is the establishment of real silence on the front. Kyiv is willing to completely cease fire for the period of negotiations. In addition, Zelenskyy proposed a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war on an 'all-for-all' basis. In the President's opinion, this proposal could become a significant prologue to the end of hostilities. Separately, the letter mentioned the issue of returning civilians and children deported to Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine does not strive for an eternal war, as life without it is priceless, and expressed confidence that most Russians are also ready for peace. ### The situation on the front and Kremlin plans The President cited data on Russian army losses. According to him, in May alone, the enemy's losses amounted to more than 30,000 killed and seriously wounded, of which 63% were eliminated occupiers. Zelenskyy noted that the Ukrainian side records such losses monthly and has video confirmation. At the same time, he admitted that every loss of a Ukrainian soldier is a huge pain, even if the ratio of losses is one to five or one to six. At the same time, Ukrainian intelligence reports that the leadership of the RF plans to continue the war until 2027–2028. Russia, according to Kyiv, is counting on the effectiveness of ballistics, is trying to drag Belarus into the conflict, and is considering scenarios with Transnistria. Zelenskyy also pointed out that due to the transfer of hostilities to the territory of the RF, Moscow was forced for the first time in history to ask for help from North Korea and is completely dependent on China. ### Format and place of negotiations Zelenskyy rejected the idea of holding a meeting in Moscow or Kyiv, stating that after 26 years of war, the Ukrainian leader has nothing to do in the Russian capital, just as the Russian leader has nothing to do in Kyiv. As venues for negotiations, he proposed neutral countries that traditionally accept diplomatic initiatives: Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab states. An important condition for the success of the dialogue, the President called the participation of Europe and the USA. In his opinion, only they can ensure security guarantees for both sides and determine the configuration of the new security architecture in the region. In Washington, in turn, Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that the military path is not considered as a way to end the war, however, the process is complicated by the unwillingness of the parties to compromise. ### Warning to the Russian leadership In conclusion, Zelenskyy warned that if the war is not ended, the Russian leadership will have to fight for its own survival. He emphasized that this is not a threat, but a fact of Russian history: when a country gets tired of war, changes occur. 'Do not be afraid to get out of the war - this is the main thing that is required of you now,' the President wrote.