In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the initiative from Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov to hold a new meeting with Russia already next week. According to information provided by Glavkom, the Deputy Head of State stated: 'Secretary of the NSDC Umerov proposed the Russian side the next meeting next week.'
Zelensky emphasized that it is necessary to increase the pace of negotiations and do everything possible to achieve a ceasefire. 'We need to resolve the issues of prisoner swaps, return children, stop killings. And a meeting at the level of the heads of state is key to ensuring peace in the long term. Ukraine is ready for such a meeting,' the president emphasized.
Political events of recent days
In his address, Zelensky also noted the continuation of negotiations with Russia on the fulfillment of previous agreements and prisoner swaps. Furthermore, the Head of State stated that the Ukrainian team is currently working on one swap.
In other news, the Verkhovna Rada appointed Denys Shmyhal as Minister of Defense after his dismissal from the post of Prime Minister. The post of Ukraine's Ambassador to the USA, which was considered for Rustem Umerov, was handed over to Olha Stefanishyna, who became the President's Special Ambassador for cooperation with the USA.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the intention to hold a new meeting with Russia and emphasized the importance of achieving peace and stopping the war in the east of the country as soon as possible. He also reported on the continuation of negotiations regarding prisoner swaps and the fulfillment of previous agreements. The Ukrainian team is already working on a new swap. Changes also occurred in politics: Denys Shmyhal became the Minister of Defense, and Olha Stefanishyna became Ukraine's Ambassador to the USA. Many issues remain in the spotlight, while others gradually continue to develop.