War in Ukraine: Selenskyj orders creation of permanent negotiation group

After the first meeting of the War Parties Ukraine and Russia since 2022, Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in Kiev has now ordered the creation of a permanent national negotiation group. The aim of the diplomatic efforts is a real and sustainable peace, Selenskyj said on the platform X.

Defense Minister Rustem Umjerow had information about the course of the talks with the Russian delegation in Istanbul last Friday, said Selenskyj. Ukraine showed that it was necessary to continue to put pressure on Russia, to end the war. Selenskyj also wants to talk to Donald Trump about negotiations with Russia in the evening – after a telephone call by the US President with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

Planned exchange of prisoners

Selenskyj described the agreement on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war each as the most important result. “Our team is currently working through the details of the exchange,” said Selenskyj. It would be the largest release of prisoners of war on both sides.

At the same time, Selenskyj reported after talking to Umjerow that the Russians had expired threats in the negotiations. The Ukrainian side rejected it. The president did not give details. According to the media, the Russian side is said to have threatened to continue the war on Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three years.

Selenskyj emphasized that Ukraine holds for at least 30 days during the conversations at the goal of unconditional ceasefire so that human life could be saved and the basis for diplomacy could be created. He also confirmed the willingness to meet Putin, “to solve key questions” in the conflict. “Ukraine is not afraid of direct conversations with Russia.”