**Ukrainian Delegation Meets Turkish President Ahead of Crucial Peace Negotiations**
In a bid to secure crucial backing for Ukraine’s peace efforts, a high-level Ukrainian delegation met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on July 23. The meeting comes ahead of the third round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, set to take place in Istanbul.
According to Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, the Ukrainian team expressed gratitude to Turkey for its continued support throughout the ongoing war with Russia. “We appreciate Turkey’s readiness to provide a platform for negotiations and to support diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” he said.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, will now proceed to Istanbul for talks with Moscow. A Russian delegation has already arrived in the city, ahead of the scheduled meeting at the Ciragan Palace.
**Key Priorities for Ukrainian Negotiators**
The upcoming round of negotiations will see Ukraine pushing for a face-to-face meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Zelensky has repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet with Putin, the Russian leader has so far refused to attend in person.
Other key priorities for the Ukrainian delegation include further exchanges of civilian and military captives, as well as the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The team will also reiterate their demand for an immediate and complete ceasefire.
**Russian Position Remains Unchanged**
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has reiterated that Moscow’s war goals remain unchanged, reflecting a reluctance to concede from its maximalist demands. Ukraine has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in both rounds of talks, but Russia has so far rejected this proposal.
The chief task for the Ukrainian delegation will be to navigate these entrenched positions and secure meaningful concessions from Russia. The success or failure of the negotiations will have significant implications for the future of Ukraine and the wider region.
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