Has the moment for ending the Russia-Ukraine war finally arrived? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly challenged Vladimir Putin to direct talks, saying it is time to end five years of conflict. The appeal came just after Ukrainian drones struck targets in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, Putin says peace is possible but only on terms discussed with Donald Trump during the Alaska summit. As Russian forces continue advancing and both sides trade sharp messages, hopes for a breakthrough are colliding with deep mistrust. Could a historic Putin-Zelensky meeting finally change the course of the war?

I am ready for direct talks with Putin to bring this war to an end, rather than waiting for when all will resolve every conflict in the world before our turn finally comes,"…

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed in an open letter dated 4 June that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin set a date and meet to end the war.