Ukraine proposed to resume peace negotiations with Russia. This new proposal comes after last month's ceasefire talks between the two countries fell into a stalemate.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said in an evening speech on the 19th (local time), "Rustum Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), proposed talks to the Russian side next week," and added, "Russia must stop hiding behind its decisions."
President Zelensky repeatedly urged direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He noted that "a summit-level meeting is necessary to truly ensure lasting peace," adding, "Ukraine is ready."
Russia did not immediately respond to this proposal.
This proposal came as U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on Russia to end the war.
President Trump recently warned that if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire within 50 days, there will be a "100% tariff" and the possibility of secondary sanctions on third countries purchasing Russian oil. He also promised to expand weapons supplies to Ukraine.
In response, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova defined the U.S. sanctions ultimatum as "intimidation" and stated that it would not be accepted. She also said that the resumption of U.S. arms support signals Ukraine to "abandon the peace process."
The new negotiation team is expected to be led by the newly appointed Umerov Secretary, who, being a former Minister of Defense, previously led the Ukrainian delegation in past negotiations.
However, despite the peace negotiation proposal, fighting continued on the front lines. President Zelensky reported that Russia attacked 10 regions overnight with over 30 missiles and 300 drones.
Russia also suffered drone attacks from Ukraine. In the Rostov region of southern Russia, rail operations were halted for about four hours due to a Ukrainian drone attack.
The two countries held two rounds of negotiations in Turkey in May and June, but only reached agreements on some issues, such as prisoner exchange. They have not narrowed their gaps regarding the position for ending the war at all.
The war, which began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, has been recorded as the conflict with the highest casualties in Europe since World War II. The total number of casualties is estimated to have reached 1.2 million.