Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead the country’s delegation in the planned second round of direct negotiations with Russia in Istanbul today.
“We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state, and our people. I have issued tasks for the near future, and I have also defined our positions ahead of the meeting in Istanbul on Monday,” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media X.
“First, a complete and unconditional ceasefire. Second, the release of prisoners. Third, the return of abducted children. To establish a reliable and lasting peace and ensure security, the preparation of a meeting at the highest level. Key issues can only be resolved by the leaders,” he added.
Umerov also led the Ukrainian delegation during the first round of negotiations in the Turkish metropolis on May 16th.
The talks led to the largest exchange of a thousand prisoners each, the biggest since the start of the war that began in February 2022.
