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Zelenskyy urges EU, US to impose harsher sanctions on Russia if Istanbul talks fail

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for stronger sanctions on Russia from the European Union and the United States if peace talks in Istanbul fail to produce results. Speaking at the Bucharest Nine Summit in Vilnius, Zelenskyy urged targeting Russian energy, especially oil and tankers, as well as banks and the financial sector. Ukraine’s delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, arrived in Istanbul on June 2 for a second round of negotiations with Russia, following an initial May 16 meeting that resulted in a prisoner exchange deal. The talks are scheduled at the Ciragan Palace, hosted by Turkey.

first published: Jun 2, 2025 10:33 pm