**Ukraine Proposes New Round of Peace Talks with Russia**
In a move aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that his country is proposing a new round of peace talks with Russia for next week. This development comes as Ukraine and Russia have been engaged in on-and-off negotiations since earlier this year.
According to Zelensky’s nightly address, Rustem Umerov, the newly appointed National Security and Defense Council Secretary, has offered the Russian side a meeting. The Ukrainian President emphasized that his country is prepared for talks at the leadership level. This means that top officials from both sides will come together to discuss ways to resolve the conflict.
**Background on Previous Talks**
The latest announcement builds on previous efforts made earlier this year when Ukraine and Russia held two rounds of bilateral peace talks in Istanbul. These meetings resulted in significant prisoner exchanges, but unfortunately, no major breakthroughs towards a ceasefire were achieved. The last meeting took place on June 2, marking the second time that top officials from both sides sat down to discuss the conflict.
**What’s at Stake**
Zelensky has stressed the need for urgent action to bring about a ceasefire and has called for a meeting at the leadership level to ensure lasting peace. He has also highlighted the importance of exchanging prisoners, returning children who have been separated from their families, and putting an end to the killings.
**International Backing**
The announcement comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Erdogan reportedly discussed resuming Ukraine-Russian peace talks in Istanbul just a day earlier. This suggests that international pressure is mounting for both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue.
In conclusion, Zelensky’s proposal for new peace talks marks an important step towards resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these efforts lead to tangible progress or simply add to the long list of failed negotiations.
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