Ukrainian delegation proposes meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy in late August

Ukraine’s delegation proposed holding a “summit of leaders” by the end of August in the third round of peace talks with Russia in Istanbul on Wednesday, according to the head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov, Euronews writes.

“We proposed to the Russian side that such a meeting at the leaders’ level be held by the end of August. If Russia accepts this proposal, it will clearly show the whole world, including our partners, that it has a constructive approach,” Umerov said.

He reiterated that Ukraine was ready for an unconditional ceasefire, which he described as a necessary basis for substantive peace negotiations.

“It is up to the other side to take steps in this direction. We have emphasized that the ceasefire must be real, it must include a complete cessation of all attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure,” Umerov stated.

Two previous rounds of peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv have resulted in large-scale prisoner swaps, but no concrete steps to end Russia’s ongoing, full-scale invasion of Ukraine after more than three years of war.