Ukraine proposes Russia meeting, Kremlin hedges on Putin-Trump
Synopsis Rustem Umerov, who was appointed secretary of the National Security and Defense Council on Friday, made the proposal to the Russian side, the Ukrainian leader said in his daily address to the nation. "The dynamics of negotiations must be accelerated," Zelenskyy said on Saturday. "Everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire. The Russian side should stop hiding from making decisions." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country had proposed holding a meeting with Russia next week, more than a month after the previous round of direct talks, while the Kremlin hedged on a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.
ADVERTISEMENT Rustem Umerov, who was appointed secretary of the National Security and Defense Council on Friday, made the proposal to the Russian side, the Ukrainian leader said in his daily address to the nation.
"The dynamics of negotiations must be accelerated," Zelenskyy said on Saturday. "Everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire. The Russian side should stop hiding from making decisions."
Umerov, who previously served as defense minister, led the Ukrainian delegations at talks with Russia in June, which resulted in the start of a major prisoner exchange. Discussions are continuing on one more swap to implement agreements reached during those direct negotiations in Istanbul, the president said.
A precise date for the new round of talks hasn't been agreed yet and will be coordinated, Russia's Tass news service reported from Moscow, citing an unidentified person. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said July 17 that Russia was waiting for proposals from Kyiv on a third round of negotiations, according to the state-run agency. Ukraine is interested in seeing agreements reached with Trump on air defense and new weapons implemented as soon as possible, Zelenskyy also said, adding that his country was ready to export drones.
ADVERTISEMENT The Ukrainian leader reiterated his call for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying "Ukraine is ready for such a meeting."Separately, Peskov said a meeting between Putin and Trump "is possible, and it will definitely happen in due time."
ADVERTISEMENT Russian Airstrikes Across Ukraine Kill at Least ThreeUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched a large missile and drone barrage overnight, killing at least three people, injuring several others and leaving thousands without power.
ADVERTISEMENT Kremlin forces fired more than 300 drones and 30 missiles of various types across at least 10 regions, Zelenskyy said Saturday in a post on X.
One person was killed and six injured when a multi-story apartment building was hit in the Black Sea city of Odesa. Images on social media showed the building in flames.
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
volodymyr zelenskyydonald trumprustem umerovdmitry peskov
(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.
NEXT STORY
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump's 50% tariffs fail to hit $30 bn of Indian exports: Pharma, smartphones exempted
Despite US President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50% from August 6, a major chunk of Indian exports worth nearly $30 billion remains untouched for now. Key sectors like pharmaceuticals and electronics including smartphones and semiconductors continue to enjoy exemptions under a carve-out list that shields them from higher duties. The tariff hike, justified by the Trump administration as a response to India's continued procurement of Russian energy and arms is expected to impact India's labour-intensive export segments. However, shipments of critical products such as medicines, mobile phones and energy supplies have been spared at least for the moment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In FY25, India exported pharmaceuticals and electronics worth $10.5 billion and $14.6 billion respectively to the US, together accounting for over 29% of its total exports to America which stood at $86.5 billion. Interestingly, India's petroleum exports amounting to $4.09 billion have also been excluded from the latest tariffs due to their placement in the energy exemption list. These high-value categories had previously escaped the initial 25% tariff announced on July 30 as well. While these exemptions offer temporary relief, uncertainty remains. Trump has warned of tariffs going as high as 250% on foreign-manufactured pharmaceuticals and the status of smartphones may shift depending on future policy decisions. The executive order signed on August 6 clarified that all goods currently listed under exemptions would continue to receive preferential access to the US market at lower or zero tariffs. The original 25% tariff was introduced after talks to finalise a limited trade deal between the two countries collapsed. That move, which takes effect on August 7, paved the way for this latest escalation. India and the US are still working towards concluding a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), targeted for finalisation by the end of the year.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 minutes ago
- First Post
Zelenskyy, Trump hold call after Witkoff-Putin talks; ceasefire hopes rise amid sanctions deadline
'I spoke with President Trump. This conversation happened after President Trump's representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support,' Zelenskyy posted on social media read more In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. AP File Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that he held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump shortly after Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, concluded talks in Moscow earlier in the day. The call comes amid heightened diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, as Washington seeks to pressure Moscow into a negotiated settlement. 'I spoke with President Trump. This conversation happened after President Trump's representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow,' Zelenskyy posted on social media. 'European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support,' he added, without saying which leaders took part in the call. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the nightly address, Zelensky said that it appears Russia is more inclined towards agreeing a ceasefire following their talks with Witkoff's visit in Moscow. 'It seems that Russia is now more inclined to a ceasefire. The pressure on them works. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details - neither us nor the US,' he said. Meanwhile, Trump said his special envoy Witkoff made 'great progress' in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Washington continued its preparations to impose secondary sanctions on Friday. The US president, in a post on Truth Social, said he had briefed some European allies about the meeting, which was focused on ending the war. 'Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,' he wrote. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin in recent weeks. He has reportedly given the Russian leader a deadline of this Friday to show progress toward peace in Ukraine or face a new wave of tougher sanctions. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said both sides had exchanged 'signals' regarding the Ukraine conflict and discussed the potential for developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Secretary of State Mark Rubio said he remained hopeful that a decision on whether to proceed with the sanctions would be announced later on Wednesday. However, sources close to the Kremlin indicated that Putin is unlikely to yield to the sanctions ultimatum. With inputs from agencies
New Indian Express
6 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
'Economic blackmail': Rahul Gandhi slams Trump's 50 per cent tariff on India
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is "economic blackmail" to bully India into an unfair trade deal. Soon after Trump announced a penalty of another 25 per cent on India for buying Russian oil, the former Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not let Indian interests be overridden. "Trump's 50% tariff is economic blackmail - an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal. "PM Modi better not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people," Gandhi said in a post on X.
