Ukraine proposes fresh talks with Russia next week

China

Ukraine proposes fresh talks with Russia next week

2025-07-20 16:20 Last Updated At：07-21 00:27

Ukrainian President Volodymyr 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 rounds of 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.

The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up, everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire, said Zelensky.

Umerov, the former defense minister, was just appointed by the Ukrainian president as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council on Friday.

Russia on Tuesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's 50-day ultimatum to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow favors a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict and is ready to negotiate.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova previously stated on Thursday that the Russian delegation is willing to go to the Turkish city of Istanbul for a third round of negotiations, but has not yet received any signals from the Ukrainian side indicating willingness to engage in a new round of talks.

Previously, Russia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.