ZELENSKY: ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE THE PATH OUT OF THIS WAR’: Feeling emboldened by Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russia with its homegrown drones — including striking St. Petersburg during an annual economic conference — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sent an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, both goading him and appealing to him to meet in a neutral country to end the war, now in its fifth year.“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky wrote, suggesting Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab country as a possible venue. “The choice is yours now. Enough of war.”“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations. This is standard practice,” Zelensky said. “Many did not believe that Ukraine would be able to hold out for so long. You did not believe it. And those who advised you did not believe it either. That was a mistake … Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now.”
Zelensky argued that Russians are growing weary of war, which resulted in staggering losses of Russian soldiers, and implied that Putin’s grip on power may be slipping. “The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would. But there is growing fatigue with Russia,” Zelensky wrote. “You cannot fail to notice it. After 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll. And with time, the fatigue with you will only grow.”
