Ukraine proposes fresh peace talks with Russia next week
Zelesnsky says he is ready to have a face-to-face meeting with Putin, saying that is what’s needed to ensure ‘lasting’ peace
Kyiv has proposed to Moscow a new round of peace talks next week, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, hours after Russian strikes across Ukraine claimed more lives.
Two rounds of talks in Istanbul between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to result in any progress towards a ceasefire, instead yielding large-scale prisoner exchanges and deals to return the bodies of killed soldiers.
“Security Council Secretary Umerov also reported that he had proposed the next meeting with the Russian side for next week,” Zelensky said in his evening address. “The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up,” he added.
Zelensky reiterated his readiness to have a face-to-face sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace – lasting peace,” he said.
At talks last month, Russia outlined a list of hardline demands, including calls for Ukraine to cede more territory and to reject all forms of Western military support.