![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin [Reuters]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/05/news-p.v1.20260605.8d21c0af617f4a908f30fa15b885396f_P1.png)
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal for direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a third country, saying the moment had arrived to pursue a truce.
Speaking Friday at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro, Macron said it was now up to Ukraine and Russia to reach a truce and a peace plan, according to AFP. "Europe will be able to help," he added.
Calling Zelensky's open letter a "good decision," Macron said he hoped to discuss how to rebuild dialogue toward a truce and lasting peace. "Given how the situation is developing, I think the time has come," he said.
He also said France looked forward to active discussions with Russia on shared concerns, including European security, bilateral relations as neighboring states, and the protection of Ukraine's interests.
Macron said he planned to meet with Zelensky within the coming days. He also announced that he had invited the "Coalition of the Willing" — a grouping of Western nations formed to support Ukraine's postwar security — to Paris on July 14, France's Bastille Day.
The EU and Germany also welcomed Zelensky's letter proposing direct negotiations with Putin.
Calls within Europe for direct dialogue between Russia and Europe to end the war have grown louder since US-brokered truce negotiations effectively stalled after the outbreak of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
Zelensky writes to Putin for first time since war began, proposes talks
Zelensky sent Putin an open letter Thursday — the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 — proposing direct face-to-face talks in a third country to end the war.
In the letter, Zelensky proposed meeting in a neutral country to discuss the terms of a peace agreement. "Ukraine proposes ending the war through direct dialogue," he wrote, according to AFP, urging an in-person summit.
"We are ready for a full ceasefire during the negotiations," he said, pressing for a concrete meeting schedule.
The letter was made public after Ukraine launched drone strikes on St. Petersburg to coincide with the opening day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Zelensky suggested Switzerland, Turkey or an Arab country as possible venues and asked for a reply with specific dates.
Donald Trump also welcomed the proposal.
"I think it would be great if they got together. They have to get together and make a deal," Trump said, adding that both sides would make concessions. "I suggested the concessions. We played a big role," he said.
Russia, however, shrugged off the overture.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin had not yet read the letter, according to the Tass news agency, and suggested that if Zelensky wanted a meeting, he could come to Moscow.
ygmoon@heraldcorp.com
