Trump hails Zelenskyy call for direct talks with Putin

US President Donald Trump on Thursday welcomed an open letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposing direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, saying both leaders should meet and make compromises to halt the devastating conflict.

Trump backs diplomatic overture

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he believed his administration had played a significant role in encouraging the diplomatic initiative. "I'm glad that they're maybe talking about meeting. I think we had a lot to do with it," he said, adding that the two leaders should convene without delay. The US president emphasized that ending the conflict would require concessions from both sides, noting that he had suggested specific compromises to both parties.

Zelenskyy proposes direct meeting

In a letter published on the Ukrainian presidency's website, Zelenskyy directly challenged Putin to engage in face-to-face negotiations to terminate the war. The Ukrainian leader stated that his country had withstood more than four years of hostilities despite Russian expectations of a rapid collapse, arguing that continued fighting was depleting Moscow's resources and damaging its international standing. "Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us -- and you. I am proposing a meeting," he said, addressing the Russian president directly.

Conflict toll mounts

The US president highlighted the devastating human cost of the ongoing fighting, citing recent casualty figures to underscore the urgency of negotiations. According to Trump, approximately 25,000 soldiers were killed last month alone, with monthly death tolls averaging similar numbers since the beginning of the year. The proposal for direct talks comes as the conflict approaches its fourth year, continuing to strain regional stability despite multiple rounds of international diplomacy backed by Washington and European capitals.