If you do not decide to end this war, Ukraine will keep fighting for its existence
En medio de cuatro años de guerra y un frente diplomático congelado, el presidente ucraniano Volodimir Zelenski extendió una mano inusual hacia Vladimir Putin: una propuesta de reunión directa en territorio neutral, acompañada de un alto al fuego total durante las negociaciones. La respuesta del Kremlin —invitar a Zelenski a Moscú bajo condiciones que Kyiv considera capitulación— revela cuánto separa a ambas partes no solo en el campo de batalla, sino en su concepción misma de lo que significa negociar. Europa observa su conflicto más mortífero desde la Segunda Guerra Mundial, atrapado entre gestos diplomáticos y la lógica implacable de la guerra.
- Zelenski rompió un silencio de años al escribirle directamente a Putin, proponiendo Suiza, Turquía o países árabes como escenarios para una cumbre con cese del fuego total incluido.
- El Kremlin respondió con una contrapropuesta que es en realidad un ultimátum: si Zelenski quiere hablar, que venga a Moscú y acepte la retirada ucraniana completa del Donbás.
- La carta llegó un día después de que drones ucranianos golpearan un terminal petrolero y una base naval en San Petersburgo, la ciudad natal de Putin, mezclando presión militar con apertura diplomática.
- Trump calificó la posible reunión de 'fantástica', pero ninguna de las partes ha dado pasos concretos hacia la mesa, y las negociaciones permanecen congeladas desde febrero.
- Mientras la diplomacia se estanca, Rusia avanza en el frente, Putin no descarta ampliar el uso del misil hipersónico Oreshnik, y Ucrania advierte que seguirá combatiendo si no hay decisión de paz.
El jueves, Zelenski envió una carta abierta a Putin proponiendo algo que se ha vuelto escaso en cuatro años de guerra: un encuentro cara a cara. La propuesta incluía un alto al fuego total durante las negociaciones y nombraba territorios neutrales —Suiza, Turquía o países árabes— como posibles sedes. También pedía la participación de Europa y Estados Unidos, enmarcando la reunión como el único camino hacia una resolución genuina.
La respuesta del Kremlin fue rápida y calculada. Aunque dijeron que Putin aún no había leído la carta, dejaron claro que si Zelenski quería reunirse, podía viajar a Moscú cuando quisiera. El mensaje implícito era inequívoco: Rusia fija las condiciones, incluido el lugar. Desde Washington, Trump celebró la posibilidad de un encuentro y pidió concesiones a ambas partes, aunque sin efecto inmediato visible.
El momento de la carta no fue casual. Llegó un día después de que drones ucranianos atacaran un terminal petrolero y una base naval en San Petersburgo —ciudad natal de Putin y sede del Foro Económico Internacional ruso— combinando presión militar con gesto diplomático en un mismo movimiento.
Las posiciones de fondo siguen siendo incompatibles. Moscú exige la retirada ucraniana completa del Donbás; Kyiv lo considera una rendición. Putin además cuestiona la legitimidad de Zelenski para negociar, señalando que su mandato venció en 2024 y que la ley marcial impide celebrar elecciones. El presidente ruso ha dicho que solo se reunirá con Zelenski una vez que sus equipos hayan negociado un acuerdo completo, lo que aplaza cualquier cumbre de manera indefinida.
En el campo de batalla, Rusia afirma avanzar en todo el frente. Ucrania intensifica sus ataques con drones sobre territorio ruso en respuesta a los bombardeos diarios sobre sus ciudades. Putin admitió que Rusia debe reforzar sus defensas aéreas —una concesión tácita de que los ataques ucranianos están causando daño— y no descartó ampliar el uso del Oreshnik, misil hipersónico capaz de portar ojivas nucleares. La carta de Zelenski fue a la vez una rama de olivo y una declaración de resistencia: la negociación sigue siendo posible, pero también lo es un conflicto sin fin a la vista.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski sent an open letter to Vladimir Putin proposing something that has become rare in four years of war: a direct, face-to-face meeting. The letter offered more than just a summit—it came with a concrete proposal for a total ceasefire while negotiations proceeded, and it named specific neutral venues: Switzerland, Turkey, or countries in the Arab world. Zelenski also called for the involvement of Europe and the United States in any talks, framing the meeting as the only path to a genuine resolution.
The Kremlin's response was swift and pointed. Officials said Putin had not yet seen the letter, but they made clear that if Zelenski wanted to meet, he could come to Moscow whenever he wished. This was a deliberate rejection of the neutral-ground proposal. The Russian position carried an implicit message: we set the terms, including where you must travel to negotiate.
From Washington, President Donald Trump called such a meeting "fantastic" and urged both sides to make concessions. His endorsement carried weight, though it remained unclear whether either party would move toward the table. The timing of Zelenski's letter was notable—it arrived just a day after Ukrainian drones struck a petroleum terminal and a naval base in St. Petersburg, Putin's hometown and the site of Russia's annual International Economic Forum, sometimes called the Russian Davos. The military pressure and diplomatic overture came in tandem.
Zelenski has rarely addressed Putin directly since the invasion began in February 2022, but he has repeatedly insisted that only a face-to-face conversation could break the deadlock. The stakes are enormous. This is Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, and peace negotiations have been frozen since late February, when fighting erupted in the Middle East and international attention shifted. Ukraine has proposed a prolonged ceasefire multiple times as a way to create space for talks. Russia has rejected each proposal, arguing that a pause would simply allow the Ukrainian military to rearm and regroup.
Moscow's demands have remained consistent and uncompromising: Ukraine must make political and territorial concessions, specifically a complete withdrawal from Donetsk, the partially Russian-controlled region in the Donbas. Kyiv sees these terms as capitulation and refuses them. Putin has also questioned Zelenski's legitimacy to negotiate at all, noting that the Ukrainian president's term expired in 2024. Under martial law, which has been in effect since the invasion began, no elections can be held.
Putin has said he will only meet with Zelenski once a peace agreement has been fully negotiated by their respective teams—a condition that effectively postpones any summit indefinitely. Meanwhile, the military situation continues to shift. Russia claims its forces are advancing along the entire front line. Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on occupied territories and Russian soil in retaliation for daily Russian bombardments of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Putin acknowledged that Russia must improve and strengthen its air defenses, a tacit admission that Ukrainian strikes are taking a toll.
The Russian leader also did not rule out expanding the use of the Oreshnik, a hypersonic ballistic missile that has been deployed three times against Ukraine. He reiterated that the weapon is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. In his letter, Zelenski issued a warning of his own: if Putin does not decide on his own that it is time to end the war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its survival. The letter was both an olive branch and a declaration of resolve—a message that negotiation remains possible, but so does indefinite conflict.
Citas Notables
A meeting between the two leaders would be fantastic, and both Russia and Ukraine will need to make concessions— President Donald Trump, speaking from Washington
Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between you and us. I propose a meeting— President Volodimir Zelenski, in his open letter to Putin
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why did Zelenski choose this moment to send an open letter rather than a private diplomatic channel?
An open letter is a public statement. It puts pressure on Putin by making the offer visible to the world. It also signals to Zelenski's own people that he is actively seeking peace, not just grinding forward militarily.
The Kremlin said Putin hadn't seen the letter yet. Do you believe that?
It's a rhetorical move. Whether Putin saw it or not, the response came from the Kremlin as an institution. The insistence that Zelenski come to Moscow is the real message—it's about power and who controls the terms.
What does the timing tell us? The letter came right after drone strikes on St. Petersburg.
It's a pattern we've seen before. Military pressure and diplomatic gestures arrive together. It's saying: we can hurt you, but we're also willing to talk. Neither side wants to appear unreasonable to the world.
Putin says he'll only meet after a deal is already done. Isn't that circular logic?
Exactly. It means there's no path to a summit under his current conditions. He's protecting himself from a meeting that could be seen as weakness or a shift in position. A face-to-face with Zelenski would be a moment of vulnerability.
Why does Zelenski keep proposing ceasefires when Russia keeps rejecting them?
Because a ceasefire is the only way to stop the bleeding and create space to negotiate. Russia rejects it because it fears Ukraine will use the pause to rebuild. Both sides are trapped in a logic where trust is impossible.
What does the mention of the Oreshnik missile suggest about where this is heading?
It's a threat. Putin is reminding Ukraine that he has weapons that can reach anywhere, that can carry nuclear warheads. It's meant to signal that Russia can escalate further if it chooses. It's also a way of saying: don't think you can win this militarily.