Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Kyiv has proposed a new round of peace talks with Russia to take place next week, stressing the need to accelerate negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing war. "NSDC (National Security and Defense Council) Secretary Rustem Umerov also reported that he has proposed another meeting with the Russian side for next week," Zelenskyy said in a televised evening address. The president emphasized that the negotiation process must gain momentum and reiterated Ukraine's readiness for a summit at the leaders' level. "Ukraine is ready for such a meeting," he said. Zelenskyy also noted that talks continue with Russia on the exchange of prisoners and the return of the remains of fallen soldiers, adding that both sides are implementing the humanitarian agreements reached during the most recent round of negotiations in Istanbul last month. "Our team is currently working on another exchange," he added, without disclosing further details. While Russian officials have not publicly responded to Zelenskyy's latest comments, Russian state media, including the RIA news agency, confirmed the proposal, citing unnamed sources close to Moscow's negotiating delegation. Zelenskyy had earlier written on X that the implementation of the agreements from the second Istanbul talks "needs more momentum," following a meeting with Umerov. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to the remarks, describing them as a "positive signal" and reaffirming Moscow's support for intensifying the negotiation process. Two rounds of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have so far been held in Istanbul, with the latest round taking place on June 2. Those talks led to several humanitarian agreements, though a comprehensive political resolution remains elusive. — Agencies
