Russia, Ukraine war: Volodymyr Zelensky says first peace talks in seven weeks are imminent

The first peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in seven weeks are imminent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says.

Mr Zelensky quoted a senior Kyiv official as saying the talks will be held in Turkey on Wednesday.

Russia’s state TASS news agency reported a source in Turkey had also said the talks would take place on Wednesday.

However the RIA news agency, also quoting a source, said they would take place over two days, Thursday and Friday.

The Kremlin said it was waiting for confirmation of the date of the talks but said the two sides were “diametrically opposed” in their positions on how to end the war.

Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Monday that he spoke with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, in preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with Russia in Turkey.

“Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow,” Mr Zelensky said.

Mr Umerov, previously Defence Minister, was appointed to his current role last week and headed the first two rounds of talks with Russia.

Ukraine has backed US calls for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow says certain arrangements must be put in place before a ceasefire can be introduced.

Russian forces have launched sustained attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, including missiles and hundreds of drones on Monday night that killed two people and injured 15. Ukraine has also launched long-range drone attacks.

“The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders’ meeting,” Mr Zelensky said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to show progress towards ending the conflict, turned down a previous challenge from Mr Zelensky to meet him in person.

Mr Putin has said he does not see Mr Zelensky as a legitimate leader because Ukraine, which is under martial law, did not hold new elections when his five-year mandate expired in 2024.

“There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far.”

Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers.

But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three-and-a-half years of war. The Kremlin says Ukraine must abandon four regions Moscow says have been incorporated into Russia.

Mr Trump said last week he would impose new sanctions in 50 days on Russia and nations that buy its exports if there is no deal before then to end the conflict.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking in Kyiv after talks with Mr Zelensky, noted Russia’s refusal to implement an immediate ceasefire as well as its “maximalist” demands.

“Discussions must begin, but on a basis that respects the interests of both parties, because diplomacy is not submission,” he told a news conference.

“And diplomacy begins with meetings at the level of heads of state and government, something Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for.”

Mr Barrot said he favoured devising an even tougher sanctions package if Mr Putin did not agree to a ceasefire.