Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Rustem Umerov, the newly appointed Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, will lead Kyiv's delegation in the upcoming peace talks with Russia.
- The crucial new round of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Türkiye, marking the first such meeting in seven weeks.
- Ukraine's agenda for the talks focuses on the return of prisoners of war, the repatriation of abducted children, and preparations for a potential leaders' summit between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Rustem Umerov will spearhead Ukraine's negotiating team for the forthcoming peace talks with Russia. Umerov, who was recently appointed Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, has previously led Ukrainian delegations in prior rounds of discussions held in Istanbul.
The next round of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow is slated for Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Türkiye. This marks the first direct engagement between the two warring nations in seven weeks, following earlier rounds on May 16 and June 2 that primarily resulted in prisoner exchanges but no significant breakthroughs on a ceasefire. While Ukraine has confirmed Wednesday, some Russian sources have indicated a potential date of Thursday, July 24.
President Zelenskyy has underscored the urgent need to accelerate the pace of negotiations and achieve a ceasefire. He reiterated his readiness for a direct, face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure a "lasting peace." Ukraine's key demands for the upcoming talks include the return of prisoners of war, the repatriation of children abducted by Russia, and laying the groundwork for a leaders' summit.
The Kremlin has confirmed receipt of the invitation for new talks but has not yet finalized a specific date, stating that "a lot of diplomatic work still lies ahead." Moscow's stance remains that its war goals are unchanged and are to be achieved "on the battlefield," highlighting the significant divergence in positions between the two sides.
The renewed push for negotiations comes amidst increased international pressure, notably from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently warned of "severe" tariffs on Russia if it fails to agree to a peace deal within 50 days. This diplomatic momentum occurs against a backdrop of ongoing hostilities, including recent intensified drone and missile attacks by both Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.