**Fresh Peace Talks Between Ukraine and Russia Scheduled Amid Ongoing Conflict**

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed a new round of peace talks with Russia taking place in Istanbul on Wednesday, despite ongoing hostilities and previous failures to achieve a ceasefire.

Ukraine and Russia are poised for a fresh attempt at peace negotiations in Istanbul, with President Volodymyr Zelensky announcing the discussions during his daily address on Monday. These talks come as Zelensky emphasized plans for a prisoner exchange and reflected on a recent conversation with Ukrainian Security Council chief Rustem Umerov, who confirmed the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

Zelensky's call for renewed discussions follows US President Donald Trump's warning to Russia about facing “severe” sanctions if hostilities do not cease within 50 days. This comes in the wake of intensified Russian offensives against Ukraine in recent weeks, prompting Washington to provide additional military aid to Kyiv.

While the Turkish government has committed to hosting the talks, there has been no response from Moscow, which has historically seen previous negotiations in May and June fail to yield meaningful outcomes. The upcoming talks aim to address ongoing conflict and the possibility of a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, although Moscow appears to remain skeptical about any immediate breakthroughs. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted that the two nations are "diametrically opposed" and warned that extensive diplomatic efforts will be required moving forward.

With a full-scale invasion that began in 2022 and a series of drone and missile attacks leading to increased civilian casualties, the urgency for a resolution in the region grows, even as hopes for effective discussions dim amid the harsh realities of war.