In the context of the ongoing military conflict, President Zelensky officially announced a proposal for a new round of diplomatic negotiations with the Russian side. Security service official Rustem Umerov was designated as a key figure who must establish contact with Russian representatives in the coming week.
The initiative comes immediately after a large-scale Russian air attack in which three civilians were killed. Ukrainian military reported the use of over 340 explosive and mock unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as 35 cruise and ballistic missiles, with a significant portion successfully intercepted.
Zelensky emphasized the exceptional necessity of a direct meeting between leaders, stating that such a format is crucial for achieving real peace. The President expressed categorical readiness for a personal meeting with Putin, regardless of the complex geopolitical situation.
Parallel to diplomatic efforts, former US President Donald Trump issued an unprecedented warning to Russia. He announced an intention to deliver the most modern weaponry to Ukraine through NATO countries and threatened drastic economic sanctions if a peace agreement is not reached within a 50-day timeframe.
The previous two rounds of negotiations in Istanbul have not led to significant progress regarding the cessation of military actions. The Russian side continues to set rigid conditions, including territorial concessions and limiting Western military support.
Currently, Russia occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula annexed in 2014. Putin initiated the full-scale invasion in February 2022, which led to a large-scale international conflict with unpredictable humanitarian and geopolitical consequences.
Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately sabotaging the negotiation process, emphasizing that the Russian side is doing everything possible to ensure future meetings remain unproductive.
Despite the challenges, Ukrainian leadership remains determined to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.