Zelenskyy Confirms Abramovich Carried Kyiv Peace Message to Putin as Russia Downs 500 Drones
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 8
Zelenskyy Confirms Abramovich Carried Kyiv Peace Message to Putin as Russia Downs 500 Drones
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 8
Summary
Zelenskyy said Roman Abramovich came to Kyiv and offered to carry a private message to Putin, marking his first public acknowledgment that the sanctioned billionaire was involved in contacts.
The Ukrainian leader said he told Abramovich that Kyiv would not leave its territory or hand Russia victory, and repeated his request for a face-to-face meeting with Putin.
Abramovich, who helped in failed talks early in the invasion, has not commented; Zelenskyy said the meeting was "not a secret" and reflected Russian interest in what Kyiv was prepared to do.
The disclosure came as Putin still demands Ukraine abandon the Donbas and as Russia's defence ministry said it shot down 500 Ukrainian drones in 24 hours.
Fighting remained intense: Russian strikes killed at least five people on Sunday, while Zelenskyy pressed UK, French and German leaders to speed interceptor production against Oreshnik ballistic missiles.
With US stockpiles drained by the Iran war, can Europe's industry rearm fast enough to deter Russia's advance?
As Russia deploys hypersonic missiles like the Oreshnik, are Western air defenses now becoming obsolete?
Ukraine’s June 2026 Peace Gambit and the 8,000-Drone Surge: Stalled Diplomacy, Escalating Drone Warfare, and the Shifting Balance in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Overview
In June 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a major diplomatic push by sending an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin through Roman Abramovich, calling for a direct meeting and a full ceasefire to start peace talks. This move came as the United States shifted its focus to Iran, leading Ukraine to seek stronger ties with European partners instead of relying on U.S. mediation. However, Russia quickly rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal, casting doubt on direct negotiations and highlighting the ongoing challenges to achieving peace. The situation underscores Ukraine’s strategic shift and the complex international dynamics shaping the conflict.