Faint signs of life appear in effort to halt Ukraine war
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed over the weekend to revive negotiations with Russia to end the war.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Ukraine proposed talks in Istanbul for a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
- Russia seeks additional territory, guarantees Ukraine won't join NATO, limits on Ukraine's future army size, and recognition of Russian as an official language.
- The Kremlin confirmed receipt of Ukraine's offer, stating Putin wants a peace agreement but aims to "achieve our goals" in the war, according to Peskov.
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NEW YORK – When Russian and Ukrainian peace negotiators met in June, they could agree on little more than exchanging bodies. Those negotiations, brokered by the Trump administration, appeared to show its goal of ending the war was deeply stalled.
But that does not mean that the diplomatic entreaties do not continue – with both Russia and Ukraine trying in their own ways to appeal to the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed over the weekend to revive the talks. sanctions on Russia’s trading partners within 50 days
Mr Zelensky proposed talks on a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia during the war. He reiterated an offer for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, first floated in May. Mr Putin had then remained silent for days before rejecting the offer.
“The Russian side must stop hiding from decisions,” Mr Zelensky said in a video address on the evening of July 19. Ukraine, he said, has offered a meeting in the coming week in Istanbul, where two previous rounds of talks took place in May and June.
Mr Zelensky said his national security adviser Rustem Umerov had conveyed the proposal to the Russian negotiating team.
Russia did not immediately respond directly to Ukraine’s offer.
Mr Dmitri Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, told Russian state TV on July 20 that Mr Putin wanted a peace agreement but that “the main thing for us is to achieve our goals” in the war.
“President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible,” Mr Peskov said.
“This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy.” Tass, a Russian state news agency, confirmed that the Kremlin had received the offer.
Russia is seeking additional territory, a declaration that Ukraine will not join Nato and will remain a neutral state, limits on the future size of Ukraine’s army and recognition of Russian as an official language in Ukraine, among other demands.
The Trump administration has pushed for an unconditional ceasefire before substantive talks on a final settlement. Ukraine agreed to that condition in March. NYTIMES
