Kyiv proposed new peace talks to Moscow, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy stressed that everything should be done to achieve a cease-fire, criticizing Russia for not making decisions. He expressed a willingness to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure lasting peace. Previous negotiations in May and June led to prisoner swaps but did not reach a cease-fire. Recent air strikes from Moscow have increased, resulting in civilian casualties, while Ukraine retaliated with drone attacks aimed at Russia.
"Everything should be done to achieve a cease-fire," Zelenskyy said in his regular evening address on July 19. "The Russian side should stop hiding from decisions," he added.
Zelenskyy reiterated his readiness to have a face-to-face sit-down with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, saying: "A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace -- lasting peace."
Two rounds of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in May and early June secured large-scale prisoner swaps and deals to return the bodies of slain soldiers. But they made no breakthrough in achieving a cease-fire to potentially end the military conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.
Moscow has repeatedly said it is ready for a fresh round of negotiations but has since intensified its relentless air strikes on Ukraine.
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