Ukraine Pushes for Peace Talks with Russia, Seeking to Break Negotiation Deadlock

In an effort to restart stalled peace talks, Ukraine has put forward a proposal to Russia for a new round of negotiations next week. President Zelenskyy confirmed the offer made by Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the Defence Council, to Russian negotiators. Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of a ceasefire and urged Russia to be decisive. He also stated his willingness to meet Putin directly to secure lasting peace. Russia has yet to respond. Umerov, appointed last week as head of the National Security and Defence Council, has been given the task of boosting the negotiation process. He previously led his country’s delegation in talks in Turkey earlier this year, which only resulted in an agreement for exchanging prisoners. Russia’s earlier demands included that Ukraine relinquish control of four regions and refuse Western military support. However, the Kremlin has indicated its agreement with Zelenskyy’s call for more momentum in the peace efforts, following increased pressure from the US, which set a 50-day deadline for a ceasefire and threatened penalties.