**Russia Ready to Hold Third Round of Peace Talks with Ukraine, Putin Says**
In a move that could potentially bring peace closer in the war-torn country, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia is ready to hold a third round of peace talks with Ukraine. However, it’s unclear if he will directly participate in the negotiations.
Speaking to reporters on June 27, Putin stated that Russia is ready for the next round of talks and is willing to coordinate the place and time. He mentioned that Istanbul could be a possible location for the talks, but details have not yet been worked out.
The latest peace talks between Russia and Ukraine took place on June 2 in Istanbul, following an earlier meeting on May 16. Despite Ukraine’s insistence on a 30-day ceasefire, Russia has repeatedly rejected the offer, proposing only a temporary 2-3 day truce in limited areas to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers.
**A Glimmer of Hope**
While no agreement on a comprehensive ceasefire has been reached, talks have led to several major prisoner exchanges. A recent swap saw 1,000 prisoners from each side being released, and a follow-up deal was made for up to 1,200 more prisoners from each side.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said during a press briefing on June 26 that it is Ukraine’s goal to organize a direct meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin during the next round of negotiation. In previous rounds, Putin had failed to show up in person, sending lower-level officials instead.
**International Pressure**
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on June 26 that Ankara is working to organize a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, with U.S. President Donald Trump potentially joining the talks. Putin stated that it’s “quite possible” that a meeting between himself and Trump could take place.
Zelensky and Trump met during the NATO summit on June 25, where they discussed battlefield developments and Kyiv’s need for additional air defense systems. Zelensky has previously voiced openness to a trilateral meeting, saying he was ready to sit down with both Trump and Putin.
**A Way Forward?**
The potential for a direct meeting between Zelensky, Putin, and Trump could be a significant step forward in the peace process. Turkey’s willingness to host such a meeting could also help facilitate the talks.
As the war in Ukraine continues to rage on, any move towards peace is welcome news. The international community is watching closely as Russia and Ukraine take small steps towards resolving their differences.
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