MWE Correspondent
The long and bitter Russia–Ukraine war could see a flicker of diplomatic progress this week as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the next round of direct peace negotiations with Russia will take place on Wednesday in Türkiye.
Speaking in a video message posted to his official Telegram account on Monday, Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian team would be led by Rustem Umerov, head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The President noted that this new round will focus on humanitarian priorities, including the return of prisoners of war, repatriation of Ukrainian children, and groundwork for potential high-level discussions.
This is not the first time the two nations have met in Türkiye for direct dialogue. Earlier this year, delegations from both Kyiv and Moscow held negotiations in Istanbul, exchanging draft frameworks for a potential peace agreement. Those meetings led to limited but notable outcomes, including a prisoner swap, although broader issues such as ceasefire conditions and territorial recognition remain unresolved.
While Ukrainian leadership has consistently demanded the restoration of its territorial integrity and accountability for alleged war crimes, Russia has continued to insist on formal recognition of its claims in annexed regions, and security assurances that would limit Ukraine’s future involvement with NATO.
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Tensions have remained high. On the same day as Zelenskyy’s announcement, Ukraine experienced a new barrage of missile and drone attacks that left at least two civilians dead and over a dozen injured. Ukrainian officials reported that over 400 Iranian-made Shahed drones were launched across several cities, damaging critical infrastructure, including schools and residential buildings.
In a separate briefing, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, confirmed Moscow’s participation in the talks, noting that while progress is possible, the sides still hold “incompatible visions for peace.” Reports earlier from TASS suggested the meeting would take place on Thursday, but Zelenskyy’s statement clarified that negotiations will begin Wednesday.
International reactions have been swift. The European Union recently unveiled a new wave of sanctions targeting Russian oil exports and key financial institutions. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Defense has pledged expedited delivery of Patriot missile systems and additional artillery as part of an ongoing $95 billion aid package to Ukraine.
Global institutions such as the United Nations and International Criminal Court continue to monitor developments closely, urging restraint and emphasizing the importance of humanitarian access to affected zones.
This week’s meeting will be a critical test of whether either side is willing to shift from entrenched positions. Political analysts warn that failure to achieve incremental progress could further erode faith in diplomacy and embolden hardliners on both ends of the battlefield.
Yet, Zelenskyy remains cautiously optimistic. “Peace will not be signed in one day,” he said, “but every step toward dialogue—however small—is a victory for humanity.”
