Ukraine seeks new round of talks with Russia

Ukraine seeks new round of talks with Russia

Ukraine has called for a new round of peace talks with Russia, following a recent escalation in hostilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is pushing for a meeting with Russian officials next week to advance ceasefire negotiations [1]. This initiative comes amidst a series of recent attacks, including a massive drone assault on Odesa, which resulted in at least one fatality and several injuries [2].

The Ukrainian leader emphasized the need for a meeting at the leadership level to ensure lasting peace. He also highlighted the importance of addressing key issues such as prisoner exchanges, the return of children, and the cessation of killings. According to Zelensky, Ukraine is ready for such a meeting [3].

The proposal for talks was made by Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, who has been tasked with adding momentum to the negotiations. Umerov led Ukraine's delegation in previous rounds of talks in Turkey, which yielded agreements on prisoner exchanges and the return of soldiers' remains [3].

The Russian side has not yet responded to the proposal, but Russian state media outlets have confirmed receiving the invitation [1]. Meanwhile, Russian authorities have indicated that they agree with the need for more momentum in the negotiation process [4].

The push for new talks comes as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate. Russia has been intensifying its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, with drone barrages becoming increasingly frequent. The Ukrainian president has thanked international leaders for their support in boosting Ukraine's defense capabilities, including joint weapons production and the supply of air defense systems [2].

Despite the ongoing conflict, there is hope that renewed negotiations could lead to a breakthrough in the ceasefire talks. However, the success of these talks remains uncertain, given the complex and deeply rooted issues at stake.

References:
[1] https://kesq.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2025/07/19/ukraine-calls-for-talks-with-russia-next-week/
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-drone-attack-odesa/
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/19/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-sent-russia-offer-of-fresh-peace-talks-next-week
[4] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-proposed-new-round-of-peace-talks-with-russia-next-week/3636043?amp=1