New Ukraine-Russia talks set for Wednesday in Istanbul, Zelensky says
Announcement follows two previous rounds that yielded little progress, as pressure mounts from the US for a deal
Russia and Ukraine will hold new peace talks on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday, a follow-up to two earlier rounds that made little progress on ending their war.
The talks will be held in Istanbul, a Turkish government spokesperson said, the same venue as previous negotiations which failed to make any breakthroughs in May and June.
While US President Donald Trump has increased the pressure by giving Russia 50 days to agree to a deal or face sanctions, Zelensky spoke only hours after the Kremlin had played down hopes for a breakthrough.
“Today, I discussed with (Ukrainian Security Council chief) Rustem Umerov the preparations for the exchange and another meeting in Turkey with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,” Zelensky said in his daily address on Monday.