Kiev has proposed a new round of peace talks with Moscow next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as quoted by AFP.

Two rounds of talks in Istanbul between Moscow and Kiev have failed to produce any progress towards a ceasefire, but instead have led to a major prisoner exchange and agreements on the return of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

“Security Council Secretary Umerov also announced that he has proposed the next meeting with the Russian side next week,” Zelensky said in his evening address. “The pace of the negotiations needs to be accelerated,” he added.

Zelensky reiterated his readiness to meet Putin in person. “A meeting at the level of leaders is needed to ensure real peace – lasting peace,” he said.

During the talks last month, Russia laid out a list of tough demands, including calls for Ukraine to cede more territory and reject any form of military support from the West.

Kiev rejected them as unacceptable and at the time questioned the point of further negotiations if Moscow was not prepared to make concessions.

The Kremlin said earlier this month that it was ready to continue talks with Ukraine after US President Donald Trump gave Russia 50 days to conclude a peace deal or face sanctions.

Trump also promised to provide Kiev with new military aid, sponsored by NATO allies, as its cities come under increasing Russian airstrikes. | BGNES