Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that Ukraine has proposed holding a new round of peace talks with Russia in the upcoming week. This initiative aims to renew diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire amidst ongoing tensions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation in previous negotiations held in Istanbul, extended the invitation to the Russian side to convene the meeting next week. Zelensky emphasized the urgency of accelerating the momentum of negotiations in his evening address to the nation, stating, "Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire."
Umerov, recently appointed by Zelensky as the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, is poised to take a central role in these renewed discussions. His recent appointment followed his tenure as Ukraine's defense minister, underscoring his significant experience in defense and diplomatic matters.
The proposal for a new round of talks comes in the wake of Russia's rejection of a 50-day ultimatum issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ultimatum demanded that Moscow agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, with a warning of "severe tariffs" as a consequence for non-compliance. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov reiterated Moscow's preference for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and expressed readiness to negotiate.
