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KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to hold another round of peace talks on Wednesday in Istanbul.
This announcement follows two previous attempts at negotiations that did not lead to a resolution of the conflict. Nevertheless, there is still hope that progress may be achieved this time.
According to a spokesperson from the Turkish government, the discussions will take place in Istanbul, which previously hosted meetings that did not yield any significant results in May and June.
While former President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Russia by giving it a 50-day ultimatum to agree to a deal or face sanctions, Zelensky made his statement just hours after the Kremlin tempered expectations for a breakthrough.
Zelensky’s announcement follows a recent wave of Russian attacks on Kyiv that resulted in several fires and damage to an underground air-raid shelter where civilians sought safety.
“Today, I spoke with Rustem Umerov, the chief of the Ukrainian Security Council, regarding preparations for the upcoming meeting in Turkey with the Russian delegation. He informed me that the meeting is set for Wednesday,” Zelensky stated during his daily briefing on Monday.
After proposing renewed talks over the weekend, Zelensky indicated that further details would be shared on Tuesday. The Kremlin has yet to confirm the negotiations.
A high-ranking Ukrainian official, who requested anonymity, mentioned to AFP that the Istanbul discussions are likely to concentrate on additional prisoner exchanges and a potential meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the two sides have met in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2, but significant progress has been elusive.
Previous negotiations have primarily focused on agreements related to prisoner exchanges. However, Russia has increased its air assaults on Ukraine and has claimed additional ground in the conflict.
During earlier discussions, both sides shared their visions for a possible peace agreement, yet they remain fundamentally divided.
Russia demands that Ukraine relinquish four regions, in addition to Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014. The Kremlin also insists that Ukraine must renounce any intentions of joining NATO.
Ukraine has categorically rejected these demands and has raised doubts about Russia’s true commitment to a ceasefire.
Regarding the likelihood of a breakthrough, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that the positions of both sides are “completely opposed,” indicating that “a significant amount of diplomatic work remains to be done.”
The presence of the U.S. will also loom large over the upcoming talks, following Trump’s recent ultimatum to Russia and his announcement of resumed arms supplies to Ukraine.
Record Drone Attacks
The Kremlin’s comments came after Russia executed a significant drone and missile offensive against Kyiv.
In recent weeks, Russia has launched a record quantity of drones and missiles toward Ukrainian cities, which Kyiv claims demonstrates that Moscow is not genuinely interested in concluding its invasion.
Zelensky reported that two individuals lost their lives in the latest round of attacks, which he condemned as an “assault on humanity.”
During this critical time, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made a surprise visit to Kyiv as rescuers continued to sift through the debris.
He engaged in talks with Zelensky, focusing on air defense, sanctions, and the production of weapons, according to a social media post by the Ukrainian president.
On Monday, six districts in Kyiv were under attack, leading to fires in a supermarket, multiple residential buildings, and a nursery, as per local government reports.
An AFP correspondent observed damage to several structures, as well as debris and shattered glass littering the streets.
The entrance of a metro station, which was used as a shelter by civilians during the assault, also sustained damage.
“The shelters themselves are increasingly unsafe, as evidenced by the metro station behind me, which has been targeted,” Barrot remarked during his visit to the affected facility.
Russia’s invasion has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, caused millions to flee their homes, and devastated many areas of eastern Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia unleashed around 450 drones and missiles in the overnight strikes.
The Russian military announced that the attacks, which included hypersonic missiles, targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure, claiming to have destroyed three U.S.-made Patriot air defense launchers.
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