Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a new round of peace talks in Istanbul, scheduled for Wednesday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his daily speech on Monday, Zelensky said he had spoken with Ukrainian Security Council chief Rustem Umerov about the upcoming meeting and plans for a prisoner exchange. “Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,” Zelensky confirmed. The talks come shortly after Zelensky called for renewed negotiations over the weekend, following a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump threatened Russia with “severe” sancti

Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a new round of peace talks in Istanbul, scheduled for Wednesday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his daily speech on Monday, Zelensky said he had spoken with Ukrainian Security Council chief Rustem Umerov about the upcoming meeting and plans for a prisoner exchange. “Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,” Zelensky confirmed. The talks come shortly after Zelensky called for renewed negotiations over the weekend, following a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump threatened Russia with “severe” sanctions if a ceasefire is not reached within 50 days. The United States has also promised to send new weapons to support Ukraine’s defense after a recent increase in Russian attacks. ALSO READ: Australia delivers M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine Although Russia has not officially confirmed its participation, the Russian news agency RIA, citing a source, reported that the talks are expected to continue on Thursday and Friday. A Turkish government spokesperson also confirmed the meeting will be held in Istanbul, the same city where earlier peace talks in May and June failed to make progress. This week’s talks are another attempt to end the war that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. The conflict has now lasted more than three years and has grown increasingly intense, with both countries using drones in large-scale air attacks. Ukraine’s foreign minister recently said that Russia fired over 330 missiles and 5,000 drones in June alone. There is hope the talks may lead to more prisoner exchanges and possibly even a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a senior Ukrainian official speaking to AFP. However, the chances of a major breakthrough remain uncertain. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia and Ukraine still hold “diametrically opposed” views, and that much more diplomatic effort is needed.

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