**Ukraine Initiates Fresh Peace Talks with Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict**

In a bid to revive stalled peace talks, President Zelensky has expressed his willingness to meet with Russia's leadership following recent escalations in military conflict.

Ukraine is actively seeking to restart peace negotiations with Russia, as President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes the necessity of a leadership-level meeting to pave the way for a ceasefire. Addressing the nation, Zelensky revealed that senior security official Rustem Umerov proposed a new meeting with Russian representatives next week, seeking to ease tensions following a series of Russian airstrikes that led to casualties and destruction across multiple regions.

In the face of these hostilities, Zelensky underscored his readiness for a direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, "A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace." The call for negotiations comes shortly after Ukraine experienced a night of severe air assaults that left at least three dead and six injured in Odesa alone.

Ukraine's military reported the interception of many incoming threats, including over 340 drones and numerous cruise missiles. This surge in violence coincides with comments from US President Donald Trump, who has promised advanced weaponry for Ukraine and warned of significant tariffs on Russia if a peace agreement is not established within a 50-day timeline.

Zelensky's initial attempts at diplomacy with Russia have met with resistance, as prior rounds of talks in Istanbul resulted in stalled discussions on ceasefire terms, while Russia has demanded territorial concessions from Ukraine. Despite the challenges, Ukraine continues to push for a resolution amid ongoing hostilities that have seen Russia maintain control over approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.