Ukraine proposes fresh talks with Russia next week

Ukrainian President Zelensky said Saturday that Kiev has proposed to hold a new round of peace talks with Moscow next week.

Rustem Umerov, who headed the Ukrainian delegation in the previous two talks in Istanbul, had sent the Russian side the offer to hold the meeting next week, Zelensky said in his evening address to the nation, adding that. "the momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up". Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow favors a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict and is ready to negotiate.