logo
Zelenskiy says Ukraine, Russia to hold peace talks in Turkey on Wednesday

Zelenskiy says Ukraine, Russia to hold peace talks in Turkey on Wednesday

Reuters3 days ago
July 21 (Reuters) - Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia - the first in seven weeks - are planned for Wednesday in Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying on Monday.
Zelenskiy appealed earlier in the day for greater momentum in negotiations.
Russia's state TASS news agency quoted a source in Turkey as saying the talks would take place on Wednesday. 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.
Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address that he spoke with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, on Monday in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey.
"Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow," Zelenskiy said.
Umerov, previously defence minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia.
Ukraine has backed U.S. calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced.
Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on Monday night that killed two people and injured 15. Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks.
Zelenskiy said: "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 U.S. President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Zelenskiy to meet him in person.
Putin has said he does not see Zelenskiy as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired last year.
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. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia.
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.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Zelenskiy, noted Russia's refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its "maximalist" demands.
"Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission," he told a news conference. "And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for."
Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Zelensky announces new anti-corruption Bill after public outcry and EU criticism
Zelensky announces new anti-corruption Bill after public outcry and EU criticism

BreakingNews.ie

time11 minutes ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Zelensky announces new anti-corruption Bill after public outcry and EU criticism

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is sending a new anti-corruption Bill to Ukraine's Parliament on Thursday, in a further attempt to defuse tensions after he approved changes to corruption laws that brought a public outcry and sharp criticism from the European Union. Opponents of the contentious law passed by politicians and approved by Mr Zelensky earlier this week said that it stripped Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs of their independence by granting the government more oversight of their work. Advertisement Mr Zelensky said it was needed to speed up investigations, ensure more convictions and remove 'Russian influence' from the fight against corruption, though he did not provide examples of Russian meddling. In an abrupt change of course on Thursday, Mr Zelensky unexpectedly said that he had drawn up a new draft Bill on corruption that 'guarantees the real strengthening of the law and order system in Ukraine'. 'The most important thing is real tools, no Russian connections, and the independence of the (watchdogs),' he said in a Telegram post. The declaration appeared to bow to recent pressure that threatened to undermine public trust in Ukraine's leaders after more than three years of fighting Russia's full-scale invasion. Advertisement The protests have not called for Mr Zelensky ousting, but they are the first major anti-government demonstrations since the war began. 'It is important that we maintain unity,' Mr Zelensky said in his post. The announcement also left some questions unanswered. Volodymyr Zelensky attending the parliament session in Kyiv on Thursday (Vadym Sarakhan/AP) Mr Zelensky had said on Wednesday that he met the heads of Ukraine's key anti-corruption and security agencies and gave them two weeks to make recommendations on how the graft law could be improved before he presented another Bill to Parliament. It is unclear what becomes of that effort to seek their input. Advertisement Despite that assurance of new legislation, further street protests were scheduled for Thursday evening. The new pronouncement also left unclear whether Mr Zelensky intended to revoke the law that he approved earlier in the week after Parliament had passed it. He did not publicise details about the proposed new law. The unrest has come at a difficult time in the all-out war, which began on February 24 2022. Russia's bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraine's frontline defences and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is also facing a question mark over whether the United States will provide more military aid and whether European commitments can take up the slack, with no end in sight to the war. Advertisement Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a third round of talks in as many months on Wednesday. But once again, the talks were brief and delivered no major breakthrough. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in the war. It is also an effort that enjoys broad public support. EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern on Wednesday over the new law, calling it 'a serious step back'. The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticizsed parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners. Advertisement People look at a ruined city market following Russia's drone attack in Odesa on Thursday (Michael Shtekel/AP) Meanwhile, two women aged 48 and 59 were killed and 14 other people were injured when Russian forces dropped four powerful glide bombs on Kostiantynivka, an industrial city in eastern Ukraine, and shelled it with artillery, Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin said. Russian planes also dropped two glide bombs on the centre of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Thursday morning, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. At least 42 people were wounded, including two babies, a 10-year-old girl and two 17 year olds, authorities said. The southern city of Odesa, and Cherkasy in central Ukraine, were also hit overnight, authorities said. The drone and missile strikes on the cities wounded 11 people, including a nine-year-old, and damaged historic landmarks and residential buildings, officials said. Ukraine has sought to step up its own long-range drone attacks on Russia, using domestic technology and manufacturing. An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi killed two women and wounded 11 other people, local authorities said Thursday. An oil depot was hit, officials said, without offering details.

Starmer and Zelensky discuss anti-corruption in call
Starmer and Zelensky discuss anti-corruption in call

The Independent

time12 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Starmer and Zelensky discuss anti-corruption in call

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky have discussed the 'importance' of anti-corruption measures after the Ukrainian president faced protests over a controversial piece of legislation. Mr Zelensky said that he raised his plans to ensure 'the independence and effectiveness of Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure' with the Prime Minister after his government in Kyiv faced their first major protests since the outbreak of war three years ago. On Thursday the Ukrainian president announced that he would send a new anti-corruption Bill to the country's parliament. Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine earlier this week protesting against legislation that will tighten oversight of two anti-corruption agencies. The two leaders also spoke about sanctions on Russian energy revenues in a call on Thursday, Downing Street said. Giving a read-out of their conversation, a Number 10 spokesperson said that the men 'agreed international partners must continue to ramp up the pressure on Russia'. The spokesperson added: 'The Prime Minister underlined the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of the role of independent anti-corruption institutions at the heart of Ukraine's democracy. 'Both leaders underscored that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree an unconditional ceasefire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.' Mr Zelensky said that they had a 'very good and substantive conversation' when they talked on Thursday. In a post on X he said that he 'spoke about the preparation of a bill aimed at strengthening the legal system and ensuring the independence and effectiveness of Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure'. The Prime Minister 'suggested involving experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation', Mr Zelensky added. Mr Zelensky and Sir Keir spoke in person last month when the Ukrainian leader was hosted by Number 10.

Netherlands with 40 other OSCE countries ask probe into Russia's POW treatment
Netherlands with 40 other OSCE countries ask probe into Russia's POW treatment

Reuters

time13 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Netherlands with 40 other OSCE countries ask probe into Russia's POW treatment

AMSTERDAM, July 24 (Reuters) - The Netherlands and 40 other OSCE member states have formally called for an independent investigation into the alledged torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on social media platform X on Thursday. "By invoking this so-called 'Moscow Mechanism', the Netherlands and partnering countries contribute to truth-finding and accountability for Russian war crimes in Ukraine", he said, without specifing which other countries had joined the request. The OSCE is an organization of 57 countries that includes former Cold War foes the United States and Russia as well as various countries in Europe, Central Asia and North America.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store