Ukraine's Zelensky says new peace talks in Turkey on July 23
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for greater momentum in negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
KYIV - The next set of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia - the first meeting in seven weeks - is planned for July 23 in Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quoted the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council as saying on July 21.
Mr Zelensky's statement followed his fresh appeal earlier in the day for greater momentum in negotiations.
The Kremlin said it was waiting for an understanding on the date of the talks, but acknowledged that the two sides were 'diametrically opposed' in their positions on how to end the war.
'Today, I discussed with Rustem Umerov the preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with the Russian side in Turkey,' Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
'Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow.'
Mr Umerov, previously defence minister and appointed Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council last week, headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia.
An unidentified source had earlier told Russian state news agency Tass that negotiators may meet in Turkey on July 24 and 25.
Mr Zelensky earlier told a gathering of his diplomats in Kyiv: 'We need greater momentum in negotiations to end the war.'
He added: '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.'
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 Mr Zelensky to meet him in person.
Mr Putin has repeatedly said he does not see Mr Zelensky as a legitimate leader because Ukraine - which is under martial law because of Russia's invasion - did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired in 2024.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side. There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far.'
Ukraine and Russia have 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.
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