Ukraine has made a proposal to Russia for new peace talks, reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The president underlines in his announcement that it is necessary to sit down with Vladimir Putin for a lasting peace.
In a message on Telegram, Zelensky says that Ukraine has proposed that the new round of talks take place as early as next week. And Kyiv wants to be at the negotiating table with Russia more often in the near future.
“We must make every effort to achieve a ceasefire,” writes Zelensky. “And the Russian camp must decide (about this, ed.) to no longer avoid it.”
Moscow has not yet responded to the Ukrainian proposal. It is not known where the possible talks should take place. In May, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Pope Leo XIV offered earlier this month to facilitate talks between Kyiv and Moscow in the Vatican.
More is needed for a definitive peace agreement, Zelensky continues. He states that a meeting at the highest level is necessary for this. “Ukraine is ready for such a meeting,” concludes the Ukrainian leader.
Experts have long doubted Putin’s willingness to make peace. Even US President Donald Trump, who long shielded his Russian counterpart, now seems convinced of this. Earlier this month, he announced that the United States will further arm Ukraine with missiles, air defense weapons and ammunition.
Kyiv also wants to continue discussions with Moscow to discuss a new exchange of prisoners. In addition, the country wants to get back the Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Reportedly, more than 35,000 children have gone missing in Ukraine since the start of the war. Experts believe that they have almost all been taken to Russia.