Ukraine, Zelensky: ‘Ready for talks to end the war’

Milan, 22 July (LaPresse) – "The Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, reported on the implementation of the agreements reached during the second meeting with the Russian side in Istanbul and on the agreement on a new meeting in the near future. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to secure the release of our captive citizens and the return of abducted children, as well as to end the killings and prepare a meeting between the leaders to truly end this war." This is what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in a post on social media. ‘Our position is as transparent as ever,’ he added, ‘Ukraine never wanted this war and it is Russia that must end it, as it was Russia that started it.’ ‘I have tasked the formation of a delegation for negotiations with the Russian side,’ Zelensky's post continues, ‘the delegation will be led by Rustem Umerov and will include representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President.’