Did Trump's tariff pressure work…Russia and Ukraine to hold 3rd meeting on the 23rd

High-level talks to be held in Türkiye

First negotiations since U.S. announced sanctions against Russia

Ukraine and Russia are set to resume peace talks in Türkiye on the 23rd, after a seven-week hiatus. This comes just one week after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to intensify sanctions against Russia.

According to Reuters and other outlets on the 22nd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the previous day, “I discussed preparations for further talks and contacts with Russia with Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and received a report that talks are scheduled for Wednesday (the 23rd).”

On the 14th, President Trump pledged new weapons to Ukraine and warned that if a ceasefire agreement is not reached within 50 days, the U.S. will impose high tariffs on Russia and its trade partners. U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth attended the ‘Ukraine Defense Contact Group’ (UDCG) meeting on the 21st (local time). The UDCG is a military support coalition aimed at assisting Ukraine. Since Trump took office, the U.S. has maintained distance from this group.

Despite U.S. pressure, a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine is expected to be difficult. The two countries remain sharply divided in their positions. Russia is demanding that Ukraine cede Crimea as well as four other border regions, and also abandon its intent to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Ukraine, however, is rejecting all of these demands.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated at a briefing on the 21st, “We have a draft proposal and so does the Ukrainian side,” and added, “There will be an exchange of opinions and discussions concerning the two completely opposing drafts.” President Zelenskyy emphasized, “Our agenda is clear,” and listed “exchange of prisoners of war, repatriation of children abducted by Russia, and preparations for a summit meeting.”

The two sides previously held peace talks in Istanbul, Türkiye, on May 16 and June 2. However, aside from exchanges of prisoners and the return of the remains of the deceased, they achieved little progress.

Reporter Joo-Wan Kim kjwan@hankyung.com