Zelenskyy offers Russia new round of peace talks next week

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Russia to hold fresh peace talks next week, calling for urgent progress toward a ceasefire.

In a speech on Friday evening, Zelenskiy said Ukraine had officially invited Moscow to resume negotiations, and that the proposal was delivered by Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council. He stressed that “everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire,” accusing Russia of “hiding from decisions.”

Previous talks between the two sides, including two rounds held in Istanbul, have so far produced only limited results, mainly prisoner exchanges, without any progress on ending hostilities. Ukraine is now trying to revive the diplomatic process, even as fierce fighting continues, particularly in eastern regions like Donetsk.

Russia has not yet responded to the latest invitation, though officials in Moscow have said they remain open to dialogue. However, Ukraine and its Western allies remain skeptical, pointing to Russia’s continued insistence on broad territorial demands and its refusal to back down from maximalist positions.

This latest move comes as international pressure intensifies. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned that if Russia does not agree to a deal within 50 days, his potential administration would impose sweeping new sanctions. Zelenskiy’s push for renewed talks may be aimed at seizing the moment before that deadline shifts the political landscape again.

So far, the Kremlin has stayed quiet. It’s unclear whether it will accept Zelenskiy’s offer or continue to wait things out on the battlefield. Either way, the window for meaningful negotiation is narrowing and both sides know it.

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