**Ukraine Raises Concerns Over Russia's Commitment to Peace Talks**

In the lead-up to peace discussions, Ukraine's leadership fears Russia is undermining the process by failing to present ceasefire proposals.

As Ukraine braces for another round of peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed skepticism regarding Moscow's genuine intentions. Although the Kremlin has confirmed its participation, it has yet to provide vital negotiating proposals, a point Kyiv views as essential for constructive dialogue.

In a statement, Zelensky criticized Russia for obstructing the possibility of meaningful negotiations. "For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear, and the negotiations must be properly prepared," he stated. Ukraine has previously submitted its own proposals, emphasizing "readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire."

The initial talks, held earlier this month, resulted in a minor success with a prisoner of war exchange, but no substantial agreements were reached. As of now, Russian forces occupy roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reaffirmed the country's position, stating that Kyiv is eager for the continuation of discussions with hopes to conclude the war by the end of this year. He urged that Russia must acknowledge an unconditional ceasefire as a foundation for broader negotiations.

Despite the gravity of the situation, neither Zelensky nor Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the talks. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hope for a future summit involving all leaders, including historical figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated that Russia's proposals regarding a ceasefire will remain undisclosed for now but insists that substantial progress is a prerequisite for any high-level summit discussions. Comments from retired General Keith Kellogg, a former envoy for Trump, have indicated that the issue of NATO membership for Ukraine—a long-standing Ukrainian aspiration—will not be addressed at this time.

Previous communications between Trump and Putin have involved proposals for ceasefire initiatives, with the U.S. expressing optimism about negotiations. However, any mention of ceasefire agreements has often been met with skepticism by Kyiv and its allies, who argue that they are being used by Russia as tactics to gain further territorial control.

In a related development, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that Germany will assist Ukraine in the production of long-range missiles as a means of defense against future aggression. The Kremlin has warned that altering the restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine poses risks for peace efforts, reflecting the complex interplay of military and diplomatic strategies currently at play in the region.