Ukraine proposed new round of negotiations with Russia

Ukraine has proposed a new round of negotiations with Russia for next week, which have been suspended since June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday.

In his daily message to the country, Zelensky explained that the proposal was made by the Secretary of the Ukrainian Security Council, Roustem Oumerov, and further clarified that he wants to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. " A meeting at the highest level is necessary to truly ensure peace," he stated, but without providing an exact date.

Negotiations held on June 2 in the Turkish city of Istanbul—which hosted a first meeting on May 16—led to several prisoner exchanges, including seriously wounded and sick prisoners and those under the age of 25. However, the two negotiation meetings did little to advance efforts toward a ceasefire.

During the latest negotiations in June, Russia again presented several demands, including Ukraine's ceding of four regions and the renunciation of all Western military aid.

On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is willing to negotiate with Ukraine, but needs time in light of statements by US President Donald Trump, who promised weapons to Kyiv and gave Putin 50 days to end the conflict.

"[US President Donald] Trump's statements are very serious. Some of them were addressed personally to [his Russian counterpart, Vladimir] Putin. Of course, we need time to analyze what was said in Washington. If or when President Putin deems it necessary, he will comment," Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The day before, Monday, Donald Trump gave Russia 50 days to reach an agreement with Ukraine , otherwise the United States will take retaliatory measures, such as imposing tariffs, which could also affect the main importers of Russian oil: China and India.

The Russian offensive against Ukraine has been ongoing for more than three years, and the attacks intensified this summer. US-led negotiations have so far failed to end the fighting.

Ukraine has been relying on financial and weapons aid from Western allies since Russia invaded the country on February 24, 2022.

Kyiv's allies have also imposed sanctions on key sectors of the Russian economy to try to reduce Moscow's ability to finance the war effort in Ukraine.