Overview

• The Kremlin has confirmed a third round of peace negotiations will take place in Istanbul on July 23
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Rustem Umerov to head Ukraine’s delegation, which includes intelligence, foreign ministry and presidential office officials
• Russia has again selected presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky to lead its negotiating team
• Detailed ceasefire discussions are excluded from the agenda, which instead focuses on returning prisoners of war and abducted children with preparations for a presidential summit
• Fresh Russian airstrikes and territorial gains on Ukrainian fronts have fueled skepticism about Moscow’s willingness to pause its offensive