Zelenskyy Calls for Direct Talks with Putin to End War, Requests Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued an open letter calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in direct personal negotiations to end the ongoing war between their countries. Zelenskyy is demanding that any such talks take place on neutral territory and be accompanied by a complete ceasefire during the negotiations. The Ukrainian leader is also requesting a prisoner exchange as part of the proposed diplomatic framework. The appeal represents a direct diplomatic overture from Zelenskyy to Putin amid the continuing conflict that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.