President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on July 19 that Ukraine has proposed a new round of peace talks with Russia for next week.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said that Rustem Umerov — recently appointed National Security and Defense Council Secretary — offered the Russian side a meeting, emphasizing that Ukraine is prepared for talks at the leadership level.
"Talks with the Russian side regarding exchanges are ongoing — we continue to fulfill the agreements from the last meeting in Istanbul," Zelensky said. "The team is currently working on another exchange."
Zelensky also stressed the need to increase the pace of negotiations, calling for urgent steps to achieve a ceasefire.
"Prisoner exchange. Return of children. Stop the killings. And we need a meeting at the leadership level to really ensure peace is truly lasting," Zelensky said. "Ukraine is ready for such a meeting."
Zelensky's announcement comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Erdogan reportedly discussed resuming Ukraine-Russian peace talks in Istanbul.
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