Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky speaks by video link with the British commentator Piers Morgan, February 18, 2026
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In his first letter to Vladimir Putin during Russia’s 51 1/2-month full-scale invasion, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought a face-to-face meeting.
Zelensky described Putin’s failure to conquer his neighbor and quell Ukraine’s resistance, instead incurring the damaging effects of international sanctions on the Russian economy, almost 1.4 million casualties among Moscow’s forces, and growing discontent within Russia amid Ukrainian counter-attacks.
Almost half of your 26 years of power in Russia you have spent in the war against Ukraine.
Whatever you say about NATO, geopolitics and the Russian language, this war is your personal choice — a war without a real reason. This is how history will remember it.
The President added, a day after Ukraine’s attacks on military and oil facilities in St. Petersburg overshadowed Putin’s international economic conference, that Russians “do not like our drones and missiles”.
Read full text of Zelensky’s letter to Putin
Putin acknowledged Ukraine’s escalating strikes on Thursday, “To our regret, some of them break through. Russia has an air defense system, we need to improve it, strengthen it, and we will do that.”
“Growing Fatigue With Russia”
Zelensky said talks can be hosted by a neutral third country such as Switzerland, Turkey, or an Arab state. Both the United States and Europe would have a role in the discussions.
“It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be,” the President wrote. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
He assured that Kyiv is prepared to implement a full ceasefire during negotiations, proposing an all-for-all prisoner exchange as a first step and calling for the return of civilians and children taken by Russia from Ukraine.
“The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would. But there is growing fatigue with Russia,” he reminded Putin.
If you personally do not come to the idea in your thoughts that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence. We will have those who will support us. But you will also have to fight much more for your existence — not Russia’s, but your own.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov snapped in response, “If Zelensky wants to meet with Putin, he can come to Moscow.” He said said Putin was aware of the letter but had not yet had a chance to familiarize himself with it.
