In an address to Ukrainian diplomats, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky named three priority issues that Kiev should discuss during the third negotiations with Russian representatives in Istanbul, Ukrainskaya Pravda reports, citing a statement by Zelensky on the social network X.
"Currently, talks are being held in Kiev, Rustem Umerov proposed holding a new meeting of representatives in Turkey. The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia and the preparation of a meeting at the leadership level."
Zelensky reiterated his previously expressed opinion that negotiations can only be truly effective if they are held at the leadership level.
I addressed Ukraine’s ambassadors and laid out the key tasks for our diplomacy: to support everything that protects life in Ukraine, and everything that causes Russia pain for its war. Each of you must deliver concrete results for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/qB4Yj4AcSI
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 21, 2025
"I urge you to inform your countries about the importance of this negotiating framework and provide the necessary political support for Ukraine“, he added, addressing the ambassadors.
Ukrainian, Turkish and Russian media outlets are citing sources according to whom the third round of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul could take place this week.
The last round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul took place on June 2. At this round, Russia handed Ukraine its memorandum, which Ukraine said contained "unacceptable ultimatums".