Russia, Ukraine to hold second round of talks on Monday in Istanbul
Russia and Ukraine are expected to hold a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday to discuss memorandums on peace after both sides carried out major drone attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post on Sunday that he is sending a delegation headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. The minister led the Ukrainian delegation in the direct talks in Istanbul in May, the first in more than three years.
Kyiv had not previously made clear that it would agree to further talks. It had criticized Russia, saying Moscow did not present its peace memorandum before the meeting.
The Ukrainian delegates are expected to call for a full and unconditional ceasefire and for summit-level talks toward realizing a lasting peace.
The Russian foreign ministry announced on Sunday that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had talked by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The ministry said they exchanged views on the talks expected to be held in Turkey on Monday.
The ministry also said Rubio expressed condolences over the deaths of civilians in bridge collapses that caused train derailments in the Bryansk and Kursk regions of western Russia.
Lavrov reportedly responded that the relevant authorities are conducting thorough investigations. He also reportedly said the results will be announced within a few days and the perpetrators will be identified and punished.
The US State Department also announced on Sunday that Secretary Rubio spoke with Lavrov at Russia's request.
A spokesperson said Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump's call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace.
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Japan Today
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Rubio praises bravery of Chinese people killed in Tiananmen Square crackdown
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Japan Times
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