Kyiv, July 20:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that Kyiv has proposed a fresh round of peace talks with Moscow, aiming to revive diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire amid continued escalation in the conflict.
In his evening address to the nation, Zelensky revealed that Rustem Umerov, recently appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council and former head of Ukraine’s Istanbul peace delegation, had extended an official offer to the Russian side to hold negotiations next week.
“The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up. Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire,” Zelensky emphasized.
The peace initiative comes as violence intensifies on both sides. Earlier in the day, Russia launched a large-scale assault targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the attack involved precision-guided air-, land-, and sea-launched weapons, as well as drones. The ministry claimed that all designated targets were hit successfully.
Meanwhile, Zelensky reported on Telegram that Russia deployed over 300 drones and more than 30 cruise missiles overnight, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to six others in Odesa, according to Xinhua News Agency.
On the other hand, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed its forces shot down 71 Ukrainian drones during the night. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that 13 of these drones were intercepted while approaching the Russian capital.
While Kyiv pushes for diplomatic engagement, tensions remain high. Russia recently dismissed a 50-day ultimatum issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump demanding a Ukraine ceasefire or face harsh tariffs. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov reiterated Moscow’s openness to dialogue but rejected external threats, reaffirming Russia’s preference for a diplomatic resolution.
