TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A new round of peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow is scheduled to commence in Turkey on Wednesday, July 24, 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on Monday evening, as reported by France24 and Anadolu.
Zelenskyy and Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, discussed preparations for the meeting with Russia and a potential prisoner exchange.
"Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. There will be more details tomorrow," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Monday evening.
Earlier that day, while addressing Ukrainian ambassadors in Kyiv, Zelenskyy mentioned that Umerov had proposed the new round of talks.
He stressed that "truly effective talks can only take place at the level of national leaders," urging diplomats to secure international support for this format.
"The agenda from our side is clear," Zelenskyy stated in an interview. "I urge you to inform your host countries of the importance of this negotiation framework."
Ukrainian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated last week that Umerov proposed this new round of peace talks with Russia, emphasizing Kyiv's readiness for a leader-level meeting to expedite the negotiation process.
Russian authorities have not yet commented on Zelenskyy's statement, though the state news agency RIA, citing sources, reported that the talks would occur on July 24-25.
The first two rounds of renewed direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16 and June 2.
In the latter, both sides agreed to resume prisoner-of-war exchanges, prioritizing the youngest and most seriously wounded, and to repatriate the remains of 6,000 soldiers from each side.
Since the last round of talks, the Kremlin has released a memorandum outlining strict ceasefire terms. These include the annexation of four more Ukrainian regions, the disarmament of Ukraine's military, and Russian control over its diplomacy, elections, and linguistic and religious policies, along with fending off future demands for war reparations.
These conditions are unlikely to be accepted by Ukraine. The Kremlin stated on Monday that the two sides hold "diametrically opposed" positions on how to end the conflict. However, Zelenskyy called for a renegotiation at a meeting with his diplomats in Kyiv.
"The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia and the preparation of a leaders’ meeting," he said, adding, "We need greater momentum in negotiations to end the war."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to show progress in ending the conflict, previously rejected Zelenskyy's challenge to meet in person.
Putin has repeatedly stated he does not consider Zelenskyy a legitimate leader, as Ukraine, under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year term ended last year.
Last week, Trump announced he would impose new sanctions within 50 days on Russia and countries that purchase its exports if no prior agreement is reached to end the conflict.
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