The first talks between Ukraine and Russia are expected to take place in Turkey after a seven -week break, and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has said he hopes to move forward, writes Reuters.
The Russian state news agency TASS reported that the talks will take place on Wednesday, the 23rd of July. RIA, on the other hand, referred to the source in Turkey, stated that the negotiations will take place on the 24th and 25th of July. The Kremlin has informed that it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the negotiations, but stated that both parties had a radical opposite opinion on how the war should end.
Zelenski said in a speech on the 21st of July that he had spoken to Rustem Umerov, secretary of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council to prepare for the exchange of prisoners of war and talks in Turkey. Umerov, who was appointed only last week for this position, has announced that the negotiations were scheduled for the 23rd of July.
Ukraine supports the US requirement for the ceasefire, while Moscow insists that it must first agree on certain things. In recent weeks, Russian forces have intensified Ukrainian cities. Ukraine has responded with aircraft attacks that paralyzed the work of Moscow airport.
Zelensky pointed out that
Ukraine’s demands are clear to Russia: to return prisoners of war, return the kidnapped children and prepare for the talks.
Creator Vladimir Putin, who is increasingly pressure from US President Donald Trump, has rejected previous calls for Zelenska’s calls to meet face -to -face. Putin has announced that he does not consider Zelenski as a legitimate president, because in Ukraine, where war -time laws are currently in force, there have been no elections and Zelenska’s pilots are expired.
Representatives of Ukraine and Russia met at the negotiating table on the 16th of May and the 2nd of June, as a result of the exchange of thousands of war prisoners, and the remains of fallen were returned. However, no agreement has been reached on fire. The Kremlin believes that Ukraine has to divorce its territories.
Trump gave Russia for 50 days in the first half of July to break the fire, otherwise additional sanctions will be introduced.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot pointed out after a meeting in Kiev, emphasized Russia’s refusal to stop the fire immediately and its disproportionate demands. He pointed out that a discussion should be started that respect the interests of both parties, as diplomacy is not the requirements. Barro added that he supports even more stricter sanctions against Russia.
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