Another diplomatic initiative for de-escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is gaining momentum, after the Ukrainian leadership officially proposed a new round of negotiations, planned for July 23-24, 2025 in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul.
The newly appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, is the official initiator of the meeting, directly supported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In an official statement, the head of state emphasized the exceptional need to accelerate the negotiation process.
The current diplomatic initiative is the third consecutive attempt for direct talks between the two sides this year. The previous two rounds, held on May 16 and June 2, although partially successful in terms of prisoner exchange, failed to achieve substantive progress towards a lasting ceasefire.
Expert analyses indicate that the upcoming negotiations will likely cover a narrow range of technical issues, including humanitarian aid, prisoner exchange, infrastructure security, and border measures.
The Ukrainian side demonstrates a categorical position for a complete and unconditional cessation of military actions with a minimum duration of 30 days - valid for land, air, and sea operations. President Zelenskyy explicitly expressed readiness for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian position remains unchanged - the Kremlin continues to insist on achieving its own military-strategic goals. Among the specific requirements are the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four partially occupied regions and international recognition of Russian control over them.
At the moment, official Russian state media have not definitively confirmed the date of the negotiations, but are working on clarifying it. The international diplomatic community is closely monitoring the development of the negotiation process.