Overview

• The meeting opened July 23 with Rustem Umerov heading Ukraine’s team and Vladimir Medinsky leading the Russian delegation.
• Ukraine’s agenda focuses on securing the release of captives, returning children abducted by Russia and setting the stage for a leaders’ summit.
• The Kremlin has downplayed chances of a breakthrough, stressing fundamental gaps in each side’s vision for ending the war.
• Previous talks on May 16 and June 2 achieved only prisoner and body exchanges and failed to produce any ceasefire agreement.
• Russia’s resumed air strikes and recent territorial advances in eastern Ukraine underscore Moscow’s ongoing offensive pressure.