Description: Ukraine’s President, Volodymir Zelenskyy, announced that Ukraine has delivered a proposal to Russia to reinstate peace talks on Wednesday, 23 Jul in Istanbul. The proposition was reportedly delivered by Rustem Umerov who stated that Ukraine was awaiting Russia’s response. Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, downplayed speculations regarding any concrete breakthroughs as he stated that extensive bilateral diplomatic engagement lays ahead before any timeframe or peace framework could be discussed. The developments follow mounting pressure on Russia to reengage in the peace talks after US President Trump threatened to impose new wave of sanctions and reinforced military support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy is also facing severe opposition on the domestic front, after a law was voted for in Ukraine’s Parliament to transfer oversight powers of Ukraine’s anti – corruption watchdog or NABU, towards the country’s President and the Specialized Anti – Corruption Prosecutor’s office (SEPO). The law was introduced after Ukraine’s state security service conducted series of raids and arrests claiming it uncovered ties between Russia’s domestic intelligence service, the FSB and several employees within NABU.
Impact: The third round of peace talks has lost political and diplomatic traction after Russia effectively labeled it as groundwork for future diplomatic efforts and renounced any significant progress. The talks would most likely consist of both countries agreeing towards additional prisoner exchanges and limited bilateral contact on the peace initiative. Russia could exploit the brewing political crisis in Ukraine, caused by the introduction of the anti – corruption bill to further delegitimize Ukraine’s leadership and possibly sow internal governmental divisions further subverting the peace process and enforcing their maximalist demands. The threats of sanctions from the US and Europe on top of the additional military support for Ukraine haven’t persuaded Russia to change or modify their stance on the war which further confirms that any form of a ceasefire or peace initiative still remains elusive for the time being.