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New round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks to happen in Turkey on Wednesday: Zelenskyy
Russia and Ukraine will hold a fresh round of peace talks in Turkey on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, in what would be the third such meeting following inconclusive sessions in Istanbul earlier this year.
Zelenskyy made the announcement during his daily address on Monday (July 21), stating that Ukrainian Security Council chief Rustem Umerov had briefed him on the upcoming talks and ongoing preparations. 'Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,' he said, adding that more details would be shared on Tuesday (July 22).
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The talks come as both sides continue to accuse each other of bad faith and with fighting still raging on multiple fronts. The previous rounds of discussions, held in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2, ended without substantive progress, despite strong pressure from US President Donald Trump to broker a ceasefire.
So far, the only tangible outcome of negotiations has been limited prisoner exchanges. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its aerial assaults and captured additional territory in eastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin has reiterated its demands that Ukraine surrender four occupied regions, in addition to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. It also insists that Ukraine abandon its Nato aspirations– a red line Kyiv has refused to cross.
Ukrainian officials have expressed scepticism about Russia's intentions, even after the Kremlin said last week it was open to further talks following Trump's ultimatum. The US president warned that Moscow had 50 days to reach a ceasefire agreement or face sweeping new sanctions. He also promised renewed arms shipments to bolster Ukrainian defences, including Patriot missile systems.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that expectations for a breakthrough should remain tempered. 'A lot of diplomatic work lies ahead,' he told reporters, suggesting that fundamental differences between the two sides remain unresolved.
With inputs from AFP
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