Zelensky Emphasizes Need for Negotiations with Russia to Gain Momentum, Moscow Announces Readiness for Third Round

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that the negotiation process with Russia "needs more momentum," referring to the recent talks between the two countries in Istanbul.

This was stated in a post on the "X" platform, where he wrote: "The implementation of the agreements reached in the second meeting in Istanbul continues, but this process needs more momentum."

Zelensky also instructed the new Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustam Omirov, to "intensify" this process, in addition to working on agreements regarding weapons with Ukraine's allies. Omirov previously served as the Minister of Defense before the government reshuffle that took place last Thursday.

On the other hand, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, announced that Moscow is ready to send a delegation to Istanbul to participate in a third round of negotiations with Kyiv. Zakharova said during a press conference in Moscow: "Either Ukraine avoids negotiations or is not ready for them," indicating that Kyiv has not made any official request for a new round.

It is worth noting that Istanbul has hosted two previous rounds of negotiations between the two countries, the first on May 16th and the second on June 2nd, resulting in agreements on the exchange of prisoners and the delivery of the bodies of around 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers, as well as the exchange of those injured with serious illnesses and soldiers under the age of 25.

In a related context, no concrete steps have been announced towards a third round so far, despite international efforts, including attempts by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January, to persuade his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to stop the war, without significant progress being made.