Ukraine Calls for Talks Amid Claims of US-Backed Gambit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that his new National Security and Defense Council Secretary, Rustem Umerov, has proposed a third round of negotiations with Russia to be held in Istanbul next week. Zelensky urged Moscow to “stop hiding from decisions,” adding that a summit between leaders is necessary to achieve a lasting peace, a prospect for which he says Ukraine is ready. The Ukrainian side is also reportedly working on another exchange of prisoners of war.

This call for new talks comes even as Russia had previously expressed its own readiness to continue the Istanbul-format dialogue. Following a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Kremlin confirmed its commitment to finding a political and diplomatic solution. This context has led to speculation that Kyiv’s public initiative is a calculated strategic maneuver rather than a simple call for peace.

Adding to the intrigue, the German publication Spiegel has suggested that Ukraine’s renewed push for negotiations could be the result of a “collusion” with the United States. The magazine’s report points to a visit to Kyiv by US Special Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg just last week, fueling theories that the diplomatic offensive is being coordinated with Washington.

Analysts suggest this move could be linked to a reported 50-day ultimatum issued by US President Donald Trump to his Russian counterpart, demanding an end to the conflict under the threat of more severe sanctions. According to Professor Oleg Barabanov of MGIMO, by making a public offer, Kyiv can later argue that “Ukraine is ready for negotiations, but Russian representatives are hiding from decisions,” thereby providing a powerful argument for Washington once the ultimatum’s deadline expires.

The appointment of Rustem Umerov, a key negotiator, to head the National Security Council is also seen as part of this strategy. Observers note that the established “personal chemistry” between Umerov and the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, is a positive factor that could foster the trust necessary for a breakthrough.

However, Kyiv is sending mixed signals. In stark contrast to the peace overtures, Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, announced preparations for a large-scale drone deal with Washington. The deal would reportedly see the US, Ukraine’s largest military sponsor, invest in the production of Ukrainian drones and subsequently purchase them, signaling a parallel track of military escalation alongside diplomatic engagement.