Ceasefire hopes dim as Ukraine criticises Russia’s lack of proposals before Istanbul talks

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed doubts over Russia’s commitment to peace talks, as Moscow prepares to send a delegation to negotiations in Istanbul on Monday.Although the Kremlin confirmed its participation, it has not yet sent its negotiating proposals to Ukraine — something Kyiv says is essential for meaningful talks. Zelensky criticised Russia for “doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless.“Ukraine has already sent its proposals, including a call for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine had already shared its “vision of future steps” with Russia and stressed the need for an unconditional ceasefire to allow further negotiations. “We want the war to end this year,” he said at a press conference with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan.The upcoming talks follow a previous round in Istanbul two weeks ago, which led to a prisoner exchange but no major breakthroughs.Although neither Zelenskyy nor Russian President Putin are expected to attend Monday’s talks, Fidan said Turkey hopes to eventually host a high-level summit. “We sincerely think it is time to bring President Trump, President Putin, and President Zelensky to the table,” he said.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia’s proposals would remain confidential and said a summit would only be possible if there was progress in earlier talks. He welcomed remarks by retired US general Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, who described Russia’s concerns about Nato as “fair.”General Kellogg noted Trump was “frustrated” with Russia’s behavior but wanted to keep talks alive. Trump and Putin recently held a two-hour phone call to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire. Trump said the call went “very well” and that negotiations would “immediately start” to end the war.Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia has so far only committed to discussing a “possible future peace,” which Kyiv and its allies see as a stalling tactic.Russia continues to occupy about 20 per cent of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. As talks approached, both countries reported fresh attacks.In Ukraine’s Kherson region, three people were killed and 10 injured. Local officials said Russian forces targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas.Meanwhile, in Russia’s Kursk region, at least 14 people were injured in an explosion, according to local officials and Russian news agency TASS.Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz recently told Zelensky that Berlin would help Ukraine produce long-range missiles to defend itself. The Kremlin said any move to lift restrictions on missile range would threaten the chances of ending the war.