Ukraine proposes meeting of leaders with participation of Erdogan and Trump and declares readiness for ceasefire

During the negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation proposed holding a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and russia with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump. The meeting, according to Kyiv's plan, could take place by the end of August.

The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov announced this after the talks, Suspilne reports.

The Ukrainian side also declared its readiness for a ceasefire, including the cessation of strikes on critical and civilian infrastructure.

"The Ukrainian delegation proposed holding this meeting in August. Why? Because any day within this period falls within the vision of our partners, in particular the US, and the deadline set by President Trump for finding a solution," Umerov said.

The key topic of the negotiations was also the humanitarian exchange of prisoners. According to Umerov, the russian delegation agreed to return some of the Ukrainian citizens who have been in captivity for over three years, in particular the seriously wounded and young people.

It is expected that over 1,200 prisoners will return to Ukraine as part of the upcoming exchange.

As a reminder, a new round of talks between Ukraine and russia took place in Istanbul on July 23. The talks lasted less than an hour. The Ukrainian side raised the issue of a ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and preparations for a meeting of leaders for a just peace.

As part of previous agreements, exchanges of seriously wounded and young prisoners of war have already taken place in June. Both sides also exchanged documents with their own vision of ending the war. Russia insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories, Ukraine's neutrality, and the recognition of the russian language.