Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed disappointment over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s response to his recent peace proposal, labeling it as inadequate. In a statement made on June 5, Zelensky indicated that Putin’s refusal to engage in negotiations signals a continued commitment to conflict.
“The Russian side has once again chosen war – today’s response was weak. He simply does not want to end the war. I believe many around the world will find this response disappointing,” Zelensky remarked, emphasizing that Putin’s stance reflects an unwillingness to acknowledge the broader consequences of the ongoing conflict.
“He does not want to change anything and refuses to recognize that his war is only favored by himself and those profiting from it – they all seemed quite pleased today,” he added.
Following Putin’s dismissive reply, Zelensky called for increased pressure on Russia, stating, “Russia should have less money.” He reiterated the need for the international community to intensify its efforts against Moscow.
On June 4, Zelensky had publicly invited Putin to meet and discuss an end to the war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the letter as a serious and significant proposal that would be formally communicated through diplomatic channels.
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged receipt of Zelensky’s letter but indicated that Putin would review its contents at a later time.
The European Commission welcomed Zelensky’s outreach, emphasizing the importance of direct negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
On June 5, Putin characterized Zelensky’s letter as “rude” and reiterated his refusal to meet, claiming that the Ukrainian president seeks to halt the advance of Russian forces. Earlier, on May 22, Zelensky reported that Ukrainian defense forces had liberated 590 kilometers of territory since the onset of hostilities in 2026.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Vladimir Putin's weak response to his peace proposal, calling for increased international pressure on Russia. Zelensky's outreach aims to facilitate negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.