زيلينسكي: مستعدون لعقد جولة محادثات جديدة الأسبوع القادم

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed today (Saturday) that he has sent an offer to Russia to hold another round of talks in the coming days, clarifying that the pace of negotiations should be accelerated and that every effort should be made to achieve a ceasefire.

Zelensky said in his evening video address: The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council proposed a new meeting with Russia next week, and they must stop evading decisions regarding ceasefires, prisoner exchanges, the return of children, and putting an end to killings, adding: A leaders' meeting must be held to ensure lasting peace.

He indicated that Ukraine is ready for this, reiterating his willingness to meet face-to-face with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying: "There must be a meeting at the leadership level to ensure real and lasting peace."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated (on Thursday) that her country's delegation is ready to head to Istanbul to participate in a third round of negotiations with Ukraine, noting that Kyiv has not submitted any such request.

Istanbul hosted two rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in May and June, the second of which resulted in agreements regarding the transfer of the bodies of 6,000 frozen Ukrainian soldiers, and the exchange of soldiers suffering from serious illnesses and prisoners under the age of 25.

On another note, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on his account on "X": I received a report from Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, summarizing the work with our partners in the European Union regarding the eighteenth sanctions package, clarifying that he issued his directives to quickly synchronize the package within the jurisdiction of Ukraine.

He explained that he is working with European countries outside the EU to join the relevant sanctions regimes, indicating that Sybiha also provided a report on ongoing agreements with the United States that showed there is good momentum.

Zelensky expressed hope for achieving positive results and enhancing cooperation with the United States, and holding a meeting with ambassadors next (Monday) to set priorities, including those related to future relations with the United States.