Latest news with #UkraineRussia
CNA
9 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Ukraine calls for Zelenskyy-Putin talks as Russia proposes brief truces
ISTANBUL: Ukraine on Wednesday (Jul 23) called for direct talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin by the end of August, even as Russia downplayed the chances of a breakthrough in the latest round of negotiations held in Istanbul. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said Kyiv had proposed a leaders' summit involving both presidents, as well as US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Priority number one is to organise the meeting of the leaders, of presidents," Umerov said. Russia's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said the parties held lengthy discussions but remained far apart on key issues. 'The positions are quite distant. We agreed to continue contacts,' he told reporters. Medinsky said both sides had agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war and that Russia had offered to return the bodies of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers. He also proposed temporary ceasefires lasting 24 to 48 hours to allow the recovery of dead and wounded soldiers. TURKEY URGES CEASEFIRE, US SETS DEADLINE Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who opened the talks, urged the delegations to move toward a ceasefire. 'Our aim is to end this bloody war, which has a very high cost, as soon as possible,' he said. 'The ultimate goal is a ceasefire that will pave the way for peace.' The talks follow earlier meetings in Istanbul in May and June, which yielded agreements on prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of soldiers' remains. The latest negotiations come as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Russia. Last week, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to end the war or face additional sanctions. Despite the ultimatum, the Kremlin signaled no change in stance. "No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. A Ukrainian delegation source told AFP before the talks that progress would depend on whether Russia adopted a more constructive approach. 'Everything will depend on whether Russia stops speaking in ultimatums,' the source said. Russia has so far insisted Ukraine withdraw from four eastern and southern regions it claims to have annexed in 2022, a demand Kyiv rejects as non-negotiable. Ukraine has also ruled out any territorial concessions, including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. WAR CONTINUES AS TALKS STALL Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, has killed tens of thousands and devastated large areas of the country. Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, fighting has intensified in recent weeks. Between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, Russian forces launched 71 drones across four regions of Ukraine, according to Kyiv's air force. Russia's defence ministry claimed to have captured the village of Varachyne in northern Sumy region, where Moscow has been steadily advancing.
Reuters
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Ukraine's delegation arrives in Istanbul for talks, broadcaster reports
KYIV, July 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's delegation for a third round of peace talks with Russia has arrived in Istanbul, Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne reported on Wednesday, citing the foreign ministry spokesperson.
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Brazil: Bolsonaro flashes ankle monitor as judge threatens imprisonment
00:56 22/07/2025 "Colbert stays, Trump must go": End of the Late Show shakes New York fans 22/07/2025 Ukraine-Russia talks overshadowed by child deportations and renewed strikes 22/07/2025 Trump escalates war on the press 22/07/2025 France sounds alarm over Gaza press and hunger crisis 22/07/2025 Duplomb Law: Feeding France, but at what cost? 22/07/2025 Tour de France: The science of feeding the peloton 22/07/2025 The shadow lives of millions of Pakistanis, stateless in their own country 22/07/2025 'Coldplaygate': CEO's resignation sparks debate on workplace affairs 22/07/2025 Gaza: 'It's impossible to get food' says a resident to FRANCE 24
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Zelenskyy says ex-Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to head delegation for Russia talks
Ukraine's ex-defense minister and current secretary of the security council Rustem Umerov will head Kyiv's delegation at the next round of peace talks with Russia on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says fresh round of peace talks with Putin's team set for Wednesday
Volodymyr Zelensky has said the next set of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is planned to be held in Turkey tomorrow after previous round of talks to end the war failed to yield conclusive results. "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." This comes as Europe has promised more air defence systems and ammunition for Ukraine hours after Kyiv was hit by another barrage of Russian drones and missiles overnight. Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) yesterday, UK defence secretary John Healey said Ukraine and its allies stand at a moment of 'maximum opportunity' to bolster Kyiv for negotiations to end the war. He called on the UK and other allies to use Donald Trump 's 50-day ultimatum to Vladimir Putin to start a '50-day drive' to arm Ukraine ahead of any talks. Ukraine gears for American Patriot missiles as Germany and Switzerland step up Germany said it had offered to finance two new Patriot systems for Ukraine and raised the possibility of supplying systems it already owned and having them replaced by the US. But delivery could take time, German chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested, because "they have to be transported, they have to be set up; that is not a question of hours, it is a question of days, perhaps weeks". Other Patriot systems could come thanks to Switzerland, whose defence ministry said on Thursday it was informed by the US defence department that it would "reprioritise the delivery" of five previously ordered systems to support Ukraine. While Ukraine waits for Patriots, a senior Nato official says the alliance is still coordinating the delivery of other military aid — such as ammunition and artillery rounds — which includes briefly paused supplies from the US. The official spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Arpan Rai22 July 2025 05:58 Russia launches major aerial attack on Kyiv hours before talks Russia carried out one of the largest aerial assaults of recent months on Ukraine hours before Britain and Germany chaired a meeting to discuss US president Donald Trump's plans for Nato allies to provide Kyiv with weapons. The drone and missile attack on the capital Kyiv killed two people and wounded 15, including a 12-year-old, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said. A drone struck the entrance to a subway station in the Shevchenkivskyi district where people had taken cover. Videos posted on social media showed the station platform engulfed by smoke, with dozens of people inside. The heaviest strikes hit the city's Darnytskyi district, where a kindergarten, a supermarket and warehouse facilities caught fire. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who arrived in Kyiv on Monday for talks with Mr Zelensky, visited some of the damaged areas. The assault underscored the urgency of Ukraine's need for further Western military aid, especially to boost air defence, a week after Mr Trump said deliveries would arrive in Ukraine within days. Arpan Rai22 July 2025 05:40 Putin 'open to peace' despite intensifying bombardment of Ukraine Vladimir Putin is open to peace after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky suggested fresh ceasefire talks, Moscow said. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Russian president was ready to negotiate, but that Russia remained committed to 'achieving its goals'. It comes after Mr Zelensky offered Moscow another round of peace talks for this week, saying he wanted to speed up ending the conflict, following US president Donald Trump 's 50-day deadline of ceasefire or sanctions. Putin 'open to peace' despite intensifying bombardment of Ukraine At least 57 Russian Iranian-made Shahed drones were launched at Ukraine overnight, according to officials Arpan Rai22 July 2025 05:20 A look at previous talks between Ukraine and Russia to end war Ukraine and Russia held two rounds of talks in Istanbul on 16 May and 2 June that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But they have made no breakthrough so far towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three and a half years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions it insists have been incorporated into Russia. Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced. 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 Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to meet him in person. The growing pressure comes as Mr 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. Russia-Ukraine war: A timeline of peace talks in 3-year quest to end conflict If both Putin and Zelenskyy sit down with each other, it would be a first in the 3-year-old war Arpan Rai22 July 2025 05:09 UK targets 135 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers with fresh sanctions Britain imposed new sanctions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet", targeting 135 oil tankers along with two Russian firms, shipping company Intershipping Services LLC and oil trader Litasco Middle East DMCC. The oil tankers are critical to Russia's energy and oil sectors, with the British government saying they form part of the fleet responsible for carrying $24bn worth of cargo since the start of 2024. Foreign minister David Lammy said the new sanctions would further "dismantle" Russian President Vladimir Putin's so-called "shadow fleet and drain Russia's war chest of its critical oil revenues". The government said Intershipping Services LLC is responsible for registering vessels under the Gabonese flag, enabling them to transport up to $10bn worth of goods annually on behalf of the Russian state. Sanctions were also imposed on Litasco Middle East DMCC for its continued role in shipping large volumes of Russian oil, the government said. The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the latest sanctions. Moscow has previously called Western sanctions illegal and said they destabilise global energy markets. On Friday, the European Union agreed an 18th package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, including measures aimed at dealing further blows to the Russian oil and energy industry. As part of that, the EU and Britain set out plans to lower the crude oil price cap from $60 per barrel to $47.60 to disrupt Russia's oil revenues. Arpan Rai22 July 2025 04:44 Western defence chiefs hold Ukraine meeting The virtual meeting of high-level military officials yesterday was led by British defence secretary John Healey and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth and Nato leader Mark Rutte, as well as Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen Alexus Grynkewich, attended the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Moscow has intensified its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, and analysts say the barrages are likely to escalate as Russian drone production expands. Ukraine's new defence minister Denys Shmyhal urged allies to speed up deliveries of American air defence systems under the plan put forward by the US president Donald Trump. "I request the US to make these weapons available for purchase, and our European partners to extend all the needed financing for their procurement," Mr Shmyhal, who until recently served as prime minister, said as the meeting began. At yesterday's meeting, Mr Healey was expected to urge Ukraine's Western partners to launch a "50-day drive" to get Kyiv the weapons it needs to fight Russia's bigger army and force Russian president Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, the UK government said in a statement. Nato's Grynkewich told The Associated Press on Thursday that "preparations are underway" for weapons transfers to Ukraine while US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said he couldn't give a time frame. Mr Trump's arms plan, announced a week ago, involves European nations sending American weapons, including Patriot air defence missile systems, to Ukraine via Nato — either from existing stockpiles or buying and donating new ones. In an shift of tone toward Russia, Mr Trump last week gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face tougher sanctions. Arpan Rai22 July 2025 04:41 Russia confirms peace talks will take place tomorrow Officials in Russia have said peace talks for Ukraine war will take place in Turkey tomorrow, Russia's state Tass news agency quoted a source. The RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, Thursday and Friday. The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the war. Arpan Rai22 July 2025 04:35 Next set of Ukraine-Russia peace talks planned for tomorrow in Turkey, says Zelensky The next set of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is planned for tomorrow in Turkey, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky quoted the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council as saying yesterday. "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,' he said.
