Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed new peace talks with Russia, hoping to overcome the stalemate in negotiations that began in June. A meeting is proposed for next week, with Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov making the offer to Russian negotiators. Zelenskyy has urged that all efforts are focused on a ceasefire and that Russia should not avoid making decisions. He reiterated his desire to meet with Putin personally for a lasting peace agreement. No immediate response has been issued by Russia. Umerov, now heading the National Security and Defence Council, had previously led the Ukrainian delegation in talks in Turkey, which produced only a prisoner exchange deal. Russia’s prior demands have included Ukraine relinquishing territory and rejecting Western military aid. A Kremlin spokesperson, however, expressed alignment with Zelenskyy’s call for greater progress in peace initiatives. This occurred as the United States escalated pressure, setting a deadline for a ceasefire and threatening sanctions.
