Mon Jul 21 22:29:56 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Russia and Ukraine will hold a new round of peace talks in Turkey on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, following two previous unsuccessful meetings in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced the meeting after discussing preparations with his Security Council chief, Rustem Umerov. The prior meetings in May and June, pressured by the U.S. for a ceasefire, yielded no significant progress beyond prisoner exchanges. Russia demands Ukraine cede control of several regions and abandon its NATO aspirations, which Ukraine rejects. Following renewed U.S. pressure on Russia, the Kremlin expressed willingness to engage in further negotiations.

**News Article:**

**Russia and Ukraine to Resume Peace Talks in Turkey Amid Heightened Tensions**

**Kyiv, Ukraine – July 22, 2025** – In a renewed effort to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to hold another round of peace talks in Turkey this Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The announcement came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, following discussions with Security Council chief Rustem Umerov regarding the preparations for the meeting. Further details are expected to be released by the Ukrainian government on Tuesday.

This meeting follows two previous rounds of negotiations held in Istanbul in May and June, which failed to yield any significant breakthroughs beyond agreements on prisoner exchanges. These earlier talks occurred under mounting pressure from the United States, with President Donald Trump urging both sides to agree to a ceasefire.

The negotiating positions of the two nations remain far apart. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine cede control of four regions, in addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Furthermore, the Kremlin insists that Ukraine abandon any ambition of joining the NATO military alliance. Ukraine has vehemently rejected these demands, expressing skepticism about Russia’s genuine desire for a peaceful resolution.

The decision to resume talks comes after the U.S. administration, under President Trump, gave Russia a 50-day ultimatum to negotiate a deal or face severe sanctions and renewed arms supplies to Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the “a lot of diplomatic work” ahead, signaling a willingness to engage in further dialogue.

While both sides have reportedly exchanged ideas on potential peace terms in previous discussions, a considerable gap remains in their respective positions. The outcome of Wednesday’s meeting remains uncertain, but it represents a renewed effort to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

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