Ukrainian and Russian delegations convened in Istanbul on July 23 for a third round of peace talks, lasting less than an hour. The meeting, following earlier sessions on May 16 and June 2, marked a cautious attempt to revive direct communication after more than three years of diplomatic silence.
At the center of Ukraine’s agenda was a proposal for a summit between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of August, according to Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
“We are focused on priority issues—people, a ceasefire, and a meeting of the leaders,” Umerov said after the meeting.
Both sides reportedly agreed to a humanitarian exchange involving over 1,200 individuals. Zelensky has consistently prioritized the return of abducted Ukrainian children and the establishment of a ceasefire.
On the Russian side, Vladimir Medinsky, Putin’s aide and lead negotiator, said Moscow had proposed creating three online working groups to address political, military, and humanitarian matters. He emphasized that any summit between the leaders would require prior consensus on key issues.
Ukraine’s delegation also included senior officials such as Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, and Deputy Military Intelligence Chief Vadym Skybytskyi. Ahead of the talks, Umerov and his team met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.
Despite the limited progress, both countries have continued negotiating prisoner exchanges. However, while Zelensky remains open to face-to-face talks, Putin has refrained from personal involvement, delegating authority to aides instead.
Tensions Mount as Pressure from Allies Increases
The diplomatic process remains overshadowed by widening disagreements and mounting international pressure. On July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that unless Russia agrees to end the war within 50 days, his administration would impose severe tariffs. The Kremlin dismissed the ultimatum, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterating that Russia’s objectives remain unchanged.
Ukraine has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, an initiative backed by Washington, but Moscow has rejected the idea. Kyslytsya criticized Russia’s negotiating style as issuing ultimatums rather than engaging in genuine dialogue.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes hit Deep Into Russian Territory
As diplomacy lags, military operations continue. On July 22, Ukrainian drones struck key infrastructure in Novocherkassk, a strategic city in Russia’s Rostov Oblast. Ukrainian official Andrii Kovalenko said the targets included a vital railway hub used to transport Russian troops and supplies.
The city also houses the 1061st Material and Technical Support Center of Russia’s Southern Military District. Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed the strikes and reported that fires broke out across the city, injuring three people. Local reports suggested the railway station and a power plant were among the affected sites.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 33 Ukrainian drones, including 11 over Rostov, but did not acknowledge damage to key infrastructure. Ukraine has not officially commented on the strikes, and independent confirmation remains limited.
Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk Takes Heavy Toll on Russian Forces
In a separate development, Ukraine’s top commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, told The Washington Post that Russia had suffered 80,000 casualties during Ukraine’s cross-border operation into Kursk Oblast, launched in August 2024. While Ukraine’s own losses were undisclosed, Syrskyi said Russian casualties were significantly higher.
Ukrainian forces initially seized 1,300 square kilometers of Russian territory in a strategic push to draw troops away from eastern Ukraine and prevent an invasion of Sumy Oblast. Russia has since recaptured most of the area and launched a counteroffensive, reportedly aided by 12,000 North Korean soldiers.
Despite criticism that the campaign failed to halt Russian advances in Donetsk and should have concluded earlier, Ukrainian officials point to the operation’s disruption of Russian logistics and the heavy toll it imposed on Russian and North Korean forces.
Russia Launches New Offensive; Belarus Plans Military Drills Near NATO Borders
Russian forces have escalated a new offensive, launched in May, aiming to penetrate Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Ukraine continues to resist, but Moscow benefits from deeper reserves and manpower.
Belarus, meanwhile, is considering shifting its upcoming Zapad-2025 military exercises closer to NATO borders due to increased Western activity. Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveika cited NATO maneuvers near Grodno and Lithuania’s Iron Wolf brigade movements as reasons for potentially relocating the drills.
Scheduled for mid-September, Zapad-2025 is expected to involve around 13,000 troops and remains one of the largest joint exercises between Belarus and Russia. Although Belarus has not sent troops into Ukraine, it has provided key support, including territory for missile launches in 2022.
Domestic Discontent Grows Over Anti-Corruption Law
In an unexpected turn, widespread protests erupted across Ukraine—not against the Russian invasion, but in opposition to President Zelensky’s domestic policy. Demonstrations in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odessa were sparked by a controversial new law that places anti-corruption institutions under the direct control of the Prosecutor General’s Office—an agency appointed by the president.
Critics argue the law undermines the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), both regarded as pillars of post-Maidan reform and essential to Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations.
Despite objections from civil society groups, legal experts, and even members of his own Servant of the People party, Zelensky signed the bill into law. International partners, including the European Union, expressed concern, warning that the reforms could derail Ukraine’s EU candidacy.
In a televised address, Zelensky defended the legislation as necessary to streamline investigations and safeguard institutions from Russian infiltration.
“We cannot afford institutional paralysis in wartime,” he said. “This law strengthens our ability to respond swiftly and securely.”
However, his assurances have done little to ease public unease. Anti-corruption organizations argue the reforms return Ukraine to a centralized model reminiscent of pre-Maidan governance. The protests reflect growing war fatigue and shifting public focus toward democratic governance and accountability.
“The fact that people are taking to the streets amid an active war says a lot,” said Ilya Berkovych, a political analyst based in Lviv. “It shows Ukrainians still deeply value democracy, even in the face of existential threats.”
Observers warn that if the legislation is not revised, it could hinder Ukraine’s EU integration and weaken international support. Some suggest the protests could evolve into a broader political movement if donor nations or EU institutions begin applying pressure or freezing aid.
