Ukraine War: Selenskyj announces negotiations with Russia for Wednesday

According to the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, Ukraine and Russia want to resume their direct discussions in Istanbul this Wednesday. However, it will not be about a ceasefire or an end to the war, said Selenskyj at a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats. For Kiev, the aim is to push the return of war prisoners and delayed by Russia to Ukraine and prepare a meeting at the presidential level.

From the Russian side there was initially no official confirmation for the new discussions – but Moscow had long pushed for a new appointment in Istanbul. The State Russian news agency TASS called on Thursday as an appointment, referring to an unspecified source.

Selenskyj said in his video message that he discussed with the Ukrainian chief negotiator, Rustem Umjerow, about the preparations for a prisoner exchange and another meeting with the Russian side in Turkey. Umerov reported that the meeting was planned on Wednesday.

Selenskyj: Effective conversations only at the level of heads of state

“It is clear to everyone that really effective conversations can only take place at the level of the heads of state,” said Selenskyj his concerns on the platform X, to prepare a meeting at presidential level. In mid -May he had already traveled to Turkey to expect a meeting with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

So far, the Kremlin has rejected direct negotiations between the president on the grounds that such conversations to have results should be well prepared. For this purpose, the necessary prerequisites should first be created at the lower level.

In the first two rounds of direct negotiations between Kiev and Moscow in May and June, both sides had agreed on a large prisoner exchange and the return of fallen. However, a ceasefire requested by the USA has not yet been reached. Selenskyj had proposed new negotiations during the week at the weekend.

Russia has been a destructive war against Ukraine for almost three and a half years. Moscow makes maximum demands for the termination of the invasion, which Kyiv categorically rejects. The Russian conditions include Kiev’s waiver of NATO accession and the recognition of the areas annexed by Moscow.

Selenskyj announces new attacks

Selenskyj also announced new attacks on targets in Russia. “If (the Russian President Vladimir) Putin is so crazy about the Shahed drones and terror, then you have to take logistics,” said Selenskyj. To do this, the Ukraine also needs more aircraft systems to be able to protect larger parts of the country from Russian drones and rockets.

Germany and Norway want to support Ukraine together

Germany and Norway want to jointly finance the reinforcement of Ukrainian air defense. After a meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in Berlin, the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre declared the willingness of his country to make a considerable financial contribution.

Germany wants to support Ukraine with two other patriot systems. It was originally planned to buy two systems for about one billion euros each in the United States and to bring them directly to Ukraine. However, since they are not immediately available, the Bundeswehr should now hand over two of their still nine patriots to Ukraine and later get replacement from the USA.

Merz said the basic promise for replacement deliveries was given, but the details would still have to be negotiated with Washington. However, he was “very grateful” that Norway was willing to stand up for the costs incurred.