Ukraine has proposed holding a new round of negotiations with Russia in Istanbul next week, marking the third formal meeting between the two sides since May.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Secretary of the NSDC proposed a new meeting with Russia next week. They must stop hiding from decisions. Ceasefire. Prisoner exchanges. Return of children. End to the killings. And a meeting at the level of leaders is needed to truly ensure a lasting peace. Ukraine is ready.”
The last round of talks between Kiev and Moscow took place on June 2, when both sides exchanged memorandums of understanding outlining their positions on a potential ceasefire agreement.
According to Zelensky’s statement, the proposal for renewed talks came from Rustem Umerov, the newly appointed Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). Umerov, who previously served as Ukraine’s Defense Minister, was replaced on Thursday by former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and appointed to lead the NSDC the following day. He also led Ukraine’s delegations in the previous rounds of negotiations on May 16 and June 2.
Zelensky had previously considered appointing Umerov as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States. On July 10, he commented:
“If I decide, and it will be in the near future, who will represent Ukraine in the United States—that is, our key ambassador—it will be Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. This will definitely affect serious reshuffles in the Ukrainian government.”
Observers interpreted the potential appointment as an effort by Zelensky to sideline Umerov and centralize control over Ukraine’s diplomatic and defense policymaking. However, a recent visit to Kiev by U.S. envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has led to speculation that the decision to keep Umerov in Kiev—and the renewed push for talks with Russia—was made at Washington’s urging.
Although Russian state media has acknowledged the invitation, no official date has been announced for the proposed negotiations. With Ukraine insisting on an unconditional ceasefire and Moscow maintaining a long list of demands, analysts remain skeptical that any breakthrough will be achieved in the upcoming talks.