Zelensky again supports talks, new meeting proposed

Can silence fall over the Ukraine–Russia conflict? According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv is ready to take the next important step in that direction. In his evening address, he stated that Rustem Umerov, the recently appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, has officially proposed to the Russian side to hold a new negotiation meeting next week. The Ukrainian leader emphasized: “We must mobilize all forces to stop the fire.”

It is known that on May 16 and June 2, two face-to-face meetings were held between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul. Although the sides did not retreat from their positions during these talks, several exchanges of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of the deceased were carried out afterward — a notable outcome. Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in those meetings.

Zelensky has again clearly stated that he supports intensifying negotiations. In his view, any step toward peace must no longer be delayed. Therefore, he not only proposes a new meeting but also, if necessary, expressed his readiness for a direct meeting with the Russian president. He noted that such face-to-face dialogue might lead to an agreement.

At the same time, the date of the negotiations has not yet been determined. The Russian side has not yet responded to Ukraine’s proposal. The position of the neighboring country remains unclear for now.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow is ready for negotiations but, in their view, it is Kyiv that is avoiding them or still not showing readiness. According to Zakharova, Russia had already declared its readiness for such agreements in 2022, and that position remains unchanged.

In Ukraine, the public and political circles have mixed reactions to Zelensky’s initiative. On the one hand, this step brings hope for a path to peace. On the other, based on Russia’s past behavior, there is little expectation of real outcomes from such meetings.

Nevertheless, Zelensky’s move toward negotiations is being closely watched by the international community. After all, every step and every meeting affects human lives — and the attempt to achieve peace not in words but in action deserves attention. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!