Ukraine’s President Wloadimir Zelanski on Monday quoted Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council chief as saying that the next phase of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is planned to be held in Turkey on Wednesday. Zelansky’s statement came after his new appeal made that day earlier, in which he appealed to speed up the talks.
Kremlin said that he is waiting for the consent on the date of talks, but also accepted that both sides are completely different from each other on how to end the war.
What did President Jailonsky say on the preparation of the talks?
Zelansky said in his video address, “Today I discussed the preparation of the exchange of prisoners with my leader Rustom Umrov and another meeting with the Russian side in Turkey. Umerov said that the meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, more information will be given tomorrow.”
Umerov is the former Defense Minister of Ukraine, he was appointed the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine last week. He led the two rounds of dialogue with Russia.
An unknown source first Russian Government News Agency Tass Told that negotiaters could meet in Türkiye on Thursday and Friday. Zelansky had earlier said at a meeting of his diplomats in Kiev, “We need to bring more speed to end the war. Our agenda is clear- return of prisoners, return of children kidnapped by Russia and prepare for the meeting of leaders.”
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What does Putin say?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Zelanski’s previous challenge of personally meeting him. Putin has repeatedly stated that he does not consider Zelansky a right leader because Ukraine did not hold new elections at the end of his five-year tenure last year.
Ukraine and Russia held two rounds of talks in Istanbul on 16 May and 2 June, following which the remains of thousands of prisoner and dead soldiers were exchanged. But both sides have not made any progress towards ceasefire or any agreement to end the war that has been going on for nearly three and a half years.
Donald Trump said last week that if there is no agreement, it will impose new restrictions on Russia and its export countries within 50 days.
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