Ukraine Proposes Next Peace Talks Despite Ceasefire Rejection
Ukraine has suggested holding the next round of peace negotiations with Russia between June 20 and June 30, 2025, even though Russia has declined Kyiv's demand for an unconditional ceasefire during the recent Istanbul talks.
Russia Offers Conditional Ceasefire Options
Russian negotiators presented two ceasefire options to Ukraine:
- A full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions claimed by Russia.
- A "package" deal including multiple conditions.
However, Russia continues to reject the notion of an unconditional ceasefire. Instead, Russia proposed a limited ceasefire lasting two to three days in select frontline areas, aimed at recovering soldiers' bodies.
Prisoner of War Swap Negotiations Progress
Both Ukraine and Russia have agreed to exchange lists of individuals for a planned prisoner of war (POW) swap next week. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, negotiators have agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, with the potential for an additional 200.
There is also an agreement to return the remains of fallen service personnel, though this requires meticulous planning.
Regarding children, Ukraine has submitted a list of nearly 400 children for repatriation, while Russia has agreed to return only 10, indicating ongoing negotiations.
Calls for Increased Sanctions and Diplomatic Support
President Zelenskiy urged his US counterpart to impose stronger sanctions to pressure Russia toward a complete ceasefire. He emphasized the importance of international support to achieve de-escalation.
Meanwhile, the White House stated that the US President is open to participating in three-way peace talks in Turkey with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, pending mutual agreement from both parties.
Recent Developments on the Conflict Front
Ukraine claimed a significant military success by striking Russian bombers worth an estimated $7 billion at airbases located thousands of kilometers away, including Siberia. Videos purportedly show burning aircraft and thick smoke, marking Ukraine's longest-range attack in the conflict so far.
The Ukrainian security service confirmed the strikes targeted 41 Russian planes used in attacks on Ukrainian villages.
Summary
Despite Russia's rejection of an unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine remains committed to dialogue and has proposed new peace talks by late June. Both sides show cautious progress in prisoner exchanges and humanitarian issues, while international diplomatic efforts continue to seek resolution.
