Ukraine proposes fresh peace talks with Russia next week
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says a meeting at the leadership level is needed to ensure lasting peace.
KYIV - Kyiv has proposed to Moscow a new round of peace talks next week, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 19, after negotiations stalled in early June.
Two rounds of talks in Istanbul between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to result in any progress towards a ceasefire, instead yielding large-scale prisoner exchanges and deals to return the bodies of killed soldiers.
'Security Council Secretary Umerov also reported that he had proposed the next meeting with the Russian side for next week,' Mr Zelensky said in his evening address. 'The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up,' he added.
Mr Zelensky reiterated his readiness to have a face-to-face sitdown with Mr Putin. 'A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace - lasting peace,' he said.
At talks last month, Russia outlined a list of hardline demands, including calls for Ukraine to cede more territory and to reject all forms of Western military support.
Kyiv dismissed them as unacceptable and at the time questioned the point of further negotiations if Moscow was not willing to make concessions.
The Kremlin said earlier in July it was ready to continue talks with Ukraine after US President Donald Trump
gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal or face sanctions.
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Mr Trump also pledged to supply Kyiv with new military aid, sponsored by Nato allies, as its cities suffer ever-increasing Russian aerial attacks.
Russian strikes on Ukraine claimed another three lives on July 19. REUTERS
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