Zelensky says Ukraine, Russia to hold new peace talks in Turkey on July 23

KYIV – Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia – the first in seven weeks – are planned for July 23 in Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying on July 21.

Mr Zelensky appealed earlier in the day for greater momentum in negotiations.

Russia’s Tass news agency quoted a source in Turkey as saying the talks would take place on July 23. The RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, on July 24 and 25.

The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were “diametrically opposed” in their positions on how to end the war.

Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address that he spoke to Mr Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, on July 21 in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey.

“Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday (July 23). More details will follow tomorrow,” Mr Zelensky said.

Mr Umerov, previously defence minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia.

Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced.

Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on the night of July 21 that killed two and injured 15.

Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks.

Mr Zelensky said: “The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia and the preparation of a leaders’ meeting.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Mr Zelensky to meet him in person.

Mr Putin has said he does not see Mr Zelensky as a legitimate leader because Ukraine – which is

under martial law

because of Russia’s invasion – did not hold a new election when his five-year mandate expired in 2024.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side. There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far.”

No ceasefire breakthrough

Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 that led to

the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war

and the remains of dead soldiers.

But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost 3½ years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia.

Mr Trump said last week that

he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia

and countries that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Mr Zelensky, noted Russia’s refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its “maximalist” demands.

“Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission,” he told a news conference.

“And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for.”

Mr Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Mr Putin did not agree to a ceasefire. REUTERS