A Ukrainian and Russian delegation are expected to meet for further peace talks in Istanbul tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22, 2025.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed fresh talks at the weekend, days after US President Donald Trump threatened Russia with “severe” sanctions if there was no ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv within 50 days.
Zelenskyy disclosed that former Defence Minister and newly appointed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov will lead Ukraine’s team for tomorrow’s peace talks with Russia.
He will be joined for talks by representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, the country’s foreign ministry, and the presidential office.
Umerov, who was moved to lead the National Security and Defence Council as part of a broader government reshuffle, met with Zelenskyy to discuss the key aims for the negotiations. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office was present in the meeting.
Zelenskyy said that Umerov, during the meeting, reported on the implementation of the agreements reached during the second round of talks held in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul last month, as well as the agreement to hold a new meeting “in the near future.”
Yermak, for his part, reported on the coordination of Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts with its partners in Europe and with the US, Zelenskyy noted, adding that the country is ready to work productively in securing the return of more prisoners of war, establishing a halt to hostilities, and preparing for a leaders’ meeting.
Zelenskyy stressed that Kyiv has three main priorities for the upcoming talks with Moscow: the return of prisoners of war, the repatriation of children abducted to Russia, and an in-person meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Our position is as transparent as possible. Ukraine never wanted this war, and it is Russia that must end the war that it itself started.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The upcoming negotiations, if held, would be the third round of direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow this year.
Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in similar talks in Istanbul in May and June.
While the negotiations failed to produce a ceasefire, they did result in major prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers’ remains.
Moscow Downplays Likelihood Of Reaching Concrete Outcome
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that it was not expecting “miraculous breakthroughs” from the talks in Istanbul.
Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov remarked, “There is no reason to expect any breakthroughs in the category of miracles – it is hardly possible in the current situation.”
He asserted that Russia intends to pursue its interests, ensure its interests and “fulfil the tasks that we set for ourselves from the very beginning.”
Peskov said he could give no guidance on timing for a possible peace agreement. “There is a lot of work to be done before we can talk about the possibility of some top-level meetings,” he said.
Commenting on the prospects for a breakthrough, Peskov told reporters on Monday that the two sides were “diametrically opposed” and “a lot of diplomatic work lies ahead.”
Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, causing record civilian casualties.
Recently, after what US President, Donald Trump called a “disappointing” call with President Vladimir Putin, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day ultimatum to move toward peace or face harsh new sanctions.
Despite the ultimatum, Russian attacks across Ukraine continued unabated, with hundreds of drones pounding the Ukrainian capital overnight on Monday, just a week after the ultimatum was issued.
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