Ukraine Proposes Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting by Late August

Kokcha News Agency: Ukraine has suggested organizing a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by late August, according to Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and the Ukrainian delegation at the peace talks with Russia.

The proposal was made during a brief meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul, which lasted less than an hour. Umerov stated that the talks focused on the priorities of both sides, and Kyiv is also expecting “further progress” on the exchange of prisoners between the two countries.

Umerov expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its role as a mediator in facilitating dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, saying, “We thank Türkiye for its facilitating role; it is an important platform for dialogue and peace.”

Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine and a member of the delegation, noted that the Russian side accepted requests for the release of individuals held captive for over three years. Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine has no preconditions for declaring a ceasefire.