New round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks set for Wednesday, Zelensky says
"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. More details will be available tomorrow," Zelensky said in his daily address Monday.
Umerov, now secretary of Ukraine's Security and Defence Council, headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia.
Ukraine and Russia have so far held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers.
But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three and a half years of war.
Since the last round of talks, the Kremlin released a memorandum with exacting conditions for a ceasefire including the annexation of four more of Ukraine's regions, the disarmament of its military and control over its diplomacy.
It also reveals Russia's desire to control Ukraine's elections and the country's linguistic and religious policies and fend off future war reparations demands.
The terms are unlikely to be accepted by the Ukraine. The Kremlin said on Monday that the two sides held "diametrically opposed" positions on how to end the conflict.
But Zelensky called for renewed talks at a gathering of his diplomats in Kyiv. "The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia and the preparation of a leaders' meeting," he said.
"We need greater momentum in negotiations to end the war," he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelensky to meet him in person.
Putin has repeatedly said he does not see Zelensky as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired last year.
Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and countries that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict.
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