Zelenskyy says Ukraine has proposed war-end talks to 'Putin's friends'

What happened

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address on 26 June that Ukraine has communicated proposals for a possible meeting on ending the war to what he called 'Putin's friends'. Zelenskyy stated that Russia must withdraw from Ukraine and that Kyiv does not want the war to continue.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine has submitted proposals to its key partners as well and insisted that a meeting and an end to the war remain possible if Russia takes the necessary step towards peace. The Ukrainian leader also pointed to continued effectiveness of Ukrainian long-range military capabilities as part of Kyiv’s response to the conflict.

The statement comes amid separate remarks by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed he met representatives of Zelenskyy in Belarus earlier on the same day. Lukashenko then travelled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, though no details have been independently confirmed about these talks or their connection to the Ukrainian proposals.

Known from the source

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has conveyed proposals for possible peace talks to 'Putin's friends'.
• Zelenskyy stated that Russia must get out of Ukraine and that Ukraine wants no war.
• Ukraine has put forward proposals to its key partners and claims that a meeting on ending the war is possible.
• Ukraine continues to use long-range military capabilities against Russian forces.
• Ukraine is fully implementing long-range and medium-range sanctions related to the conflict.

What remains unclear

Zelenskyy also emphasized the full implementation of Ukraine's long-range and medium-range sanctions as just responses to the war that Russia initiated and must end. No direct confirmation is provided in this source regarding Russia's response or acceptance of the proposed talks.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Whether Zelenskyy's claim that 'Putin's friends' have heard the proposals can be independently verified. Identification of 'Putin's friends' and their role or influence in dialogue or negotiation processes. Details and veracity of Lukashenko's claimed meeting with Zelenskyy representatives.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Ukrainska Pravda English. Open the source.