Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that Kyiv has invited Moscow to resume peace negotiations next week, urging Russia to engage in efforts to secure a ceasefire. The proposal comes amid escalating drone warfare and stalled progress in ending the conflict, now in its fourth year.
Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of dialogue during his national address, stating, "Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire. The Russian side should stop hiding from decisions." Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s lead negotiator during previous talks in Istanbul, reportedly submitted the invitation to Russian counterparts.
A source close to Russia’s delegation confirmed receiving the proposal but told TASS news agency that no date had been finalized. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated Thursday that Moscow remains open to discussions in Türkiye but claimed Kyiv had not formally signaled readiness for new talks.
The two sides last met in May for negotiations mediated by Türkiye, agreeing to limited prisoner exchanges but failing to resolve broader disputes. Meanwhile, both nations have intensified drone attacks, with hundreds reportedly intercepted this week alone, signaling a shift toward attrition-based strategies.
Analysts suggest the lack of clear timelines for renewed diplomacy reflects deepening mistrust, with global markets monitoring potential impacts on energy security and regional stability.
