According to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s Secretary of Defense and National Security Council, Rustem Umarov, ‘reported that he proposed the Russian separate to hold next week’
It proposed to a new round of peace negotiations for next week, said the Ukrainian President, 19), in an attempt to resume a stagnant process since early June. “We need to accelerate the pace of negotiations,” added the Ukrainian President. According to Zelensky, Ukraine’s Secretary of Defense and National Security Council, Rustem Umarov, “reported that he proposed the Russian separate the next week.” Zelensky also reiterated his willingness to meet Putin, stating that “a leadership meeting is necessary to truly ensure peace, a lasting peace.” Kremlin stated earlier this month that he is willing to continue negotiations with Ukraine after US President Donald Trump gave Russia 50 days to reach a peace agreement or face sanctions.
The two rounds of negotiations made in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine did not progress to a ceasefire, but resulted in an agreement for the exchange of prisoners and the return of the bodies of the dead soldiers. Zelensky also reiterated his willingness to meet Putin personally, stating that “a leadership meeting is necessary to truly ensure peace, a lasting peace.” In last month’s negotiations, Russia presented a list of rigorous demands, including that Ukraine gives more territory and rejects all forms of western military support. Ukraine has considered these ultimatum unacceptable and questioned the sense of continuing negotiations if Russia is not willing to make concessions.
Kremlin stated earlier this month that he is willing to continue negotiations with Ukraine after US President Donald Trump gave Russia 50 days to reach a peace agreement or face sanctions. Trump has also promised to provide more military aid to Ukraine to help her defend herself from increasingly bulky Russian attacks.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its daily air strikes with Ukrainian cities, and their front line advance. This Saturday, three people died in Ukraine because of the missiles and drones fired from Russian territory, two of them in central Dnipropetrovsk and a third in the coastal city of Odessa. In turn, Russia had to suspend the circulation of its trains for four hours in the southern region of Rostov, due to a Ukrainian attack with drones that injured a rail worker. As part of Istanbul’s agreements, Ukraine received the bodies of a thousand soldiers killed on Thursday, and Russia received 19 from the Ukrainians.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Sarah Paula
