This article, published on Rafael Poch de Feliu's blog, examines an open letter released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 4.

While many Western media outlets reportedly portrayed the letter as a goodwill gesture and an invitation to peace negotiations, the article presents an alternative interpretation based primarily on commentary from German journalist Eric Bonse and Swiss military analyst Jacques Baud.

According to Bonse, the letter was not genuinely aimed at persuading Putin to negotiate but was instead directed at domestic audiences in Ukraine, particularly supporters of a hardline approach toward Russia.

The article highlights passages in which Zelensky references Ukrainian long-range drone operations, warns of additional consequences for Russia, and suggests that Putin may eventually face threats to his own political survival.Bonse argues that such language undermines the characterization of the letter as a conciliatory peace proposal.

The article also discusses broader assessments of the war, citing Baud's view that recent claims of Ukrainian military success are largely public relations achievements rather than indicators of a strategic shift on the battlefield.

Baud is quoted as arguing that Russia continues to maintain military superiority despite suffering drone attacks, while Ukraine bears significantly greater human and material losses.

The piece concludes by noting that European leaders, including Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron, and Keir Starmer, met with Zelensky in London to discuss possible negotiations with Russia, while expressing hope that future diplomatic efforts will produce more substantive results than symbolic gestures and rhetoric.