New Ukraine-Russia talks set for Wednesday in Istanbul, Zelensky says
The talks will be held in Istanbul, a Turkish government spokesperson said, the same venue as previous negotiations which failed to make any breakthroughs in May and June.
While US President Donald Trump has increased the pressure by giving Russia 50 days to agree on a deal or face sanctions, Zelensky spoke only hours after the Kremlin had played down hopes for a breakthrough.
His announcement of a fresh round of negotiations also came in the wake of the
latest Russian barrage on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv , which sparked several fires and damaged an underground air-raid shelter where civilians had taken refuge.
An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over Kyiv on Monday. Photo: Reuters
'Today, I discussed with (Ukrainian Security Council chief) Rustem Umerov the preparations for the exchange and another meeting in Turkey with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,' Zelensky said in his daily address on Monday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Standard
an hour ago
- The Standard
'A free Ukraine': Kyiv protests law threatening anti-corruption bodies
People take part in an anti-war protest, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Lisbon, Portugal, February 27. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Ukraine demands Zelensky-Putin talks, Russia proposes brief truces
Ukraine on Wednesday proposed direct talks within weeks between its President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin, but Moscow tempered prospects for progress at a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday. A Russian negotiator said his country agreed to the latest in a series of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine and proposed brief ceasefires allowing dead and wounded soldiers to be recovered. Host country Turkey urged steps towards a lasting ceasefire and peace deal, but the Kremlin played down any expectations of a breakthrough after 3½ years of war. Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, told reporters: 'Priority No 1 is to organise the meeting of the leaders, of presidents', in comments after the talks. He said Kyiv had proposed to hold the talks by the end of August, with US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also taking part. Moscow's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told reporters the sides had lengthy discussions but added: 'The positions are quite distant. We agreed to continue contacts.'
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Ukraine demands Zelensky-Putin talks, Russia proposes brief truces
Ukraine on Wednesday proposed direct talks within weeks between its President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin, but Moscow tempered prospects for progress at a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday. A Russian negotiator said his country agreed to the latest in a series of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine and proposed brief ceasefires allowing dead and wounded soldiers to be recovered. Host country Turkey urged steps towards a lasting ceasefire and peace deal, but the Kremlin played down any expectations of a breakthrough after 3½ years of war. Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, told reporters: 'Priority No 1 is to organise the meeting of the leaders, of presidents', in comments after the talks. He said Kyiv had proposed to hold the talks by the end of August, with US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also taking part. Moscow's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told reporters the sides had lengthy discussions but added: 'The positions are quite distant. We agreed to continue contacts.'
