Investigations into the activities of the Istanbul Municipality continue in Turkey, with 25 people detained on charges of tender fraud. Dozens of people were detained during operations conducted in Istanbul, Antalya, Çanakkale, Trabzon, Bursa, and Giresun.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with the team involved in the release of prisoners, including the liberated defenders of Mariupol and paramedic Taira. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale war, 5,857 people have been returned, with another 555 outside of exchanges.
The Center for Countering Disinformation predicts an intensification of Russian propaganda regarding rallies in Ukraine and information operations in frontline regions. False reports about evacuation and discrediting of Ukraine are expected.
According to a Deutsche Bank report, rent for a three-bedroom apartment in European city centers continues to rise, with only five cities having an average cost below 2,000 euros. London is the most expensive city with a rent of 5,088 euros, while Athens is the cheapest at 1,080 euros.
Donald Trump suggests the possibility of a trilateral meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, and himself. The US President believes that such a meeting should have taken place earlier.
President Zelenskyy stated that ending the war in Ukraine begins with a meeting of leaders, and the Russian side has also started discussing this issue. Moscow's position is influenced by operations on its territory, not just negotiations.
The third round of negotiations in Istanbul yielded no results, Russia continues its offensive. Experts note that Trump's warnings did not affect Moscow's position, which is not interested in an agreement on someone else's terms.
Donetsk "Shakhtar" defeated Turkish "Beşiktaş" with a score of 4:2 in the first match of the second round of the Europa League football qualification. Brazilian midfielder Alisson scored a goal and two assists, while Kevin scored a brace.
Andriy Yermak reported that Russia provided fragmented information regarding less than a fifth of the children from a list of 339 names. There is no information about more than 200 children, including those from the Kherson Children's Home.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, discussed negotiations with Russia in Istanbul and the preparation of a bill to strengthen law enforcement. They also talked about prisoner exchange and diplomatic work with partners.
Political scientist Oleh Lisnyi believes that the negotiations in Istanbul are a continuation of Russia's mockery of Donald Trump.
President Zelenskyy reported on Russia's night attack with 103 attack drones and 4 missiles after talks in Istanbul. The strikes hit Odesa, Cherkasy, Kharkiv region, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk region, Sumy region, and Mykolaiv region, killing three people in Kharkiv region.
The Ukrainian side at the Istanbul talks outlined three priorities: a complete ceasefire, organizing a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and Russia with the participation of Trump and Erdogan, and continuing the humanitarian track. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov noted that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire and is awaiting a political decision from the Kremlin.
President Zelenskyy announced the completion of the ninth stage of prisoner exchange with the Russian Federation, as a result of which severely ill and seriously wounded defenders returned home. In total, over a thousand Ukrainian citizens have been returned through all stages of exchanges agreed upon in Istanbul.
The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, announced proposals to Ukraine regarding the exchange of 1,200 prisoners of war, short truces, and the transfer of 3,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded in Istanbul.
Ukraine insists on an unconditional ceasefire and the priority of a leaders' meeting and the humanitarian track. The Russian side currently does not agree to a ceasefire.
During negotiations in Turkey, Ukraine proposed a meeting between President Zelenskyy and Russian dictator Putin in August. This proposal coincides with the deadline set by Trump for finding a solution.
Yurii Kovbasa, representative of the VR Commissioner for Human Rights, announced agreements with the Russian Federation regarding the return of prisoners of war who have been in captivity for more than 3 years. Regular sanitary exchanges of prisoners of war in poor health have also been agreed upon.
In Istanbul, the Ukrainian and Russian sides reached an agreement on the exchange of not only military personnel, but also civilians. Negotiations of the delegations have already concluded.
Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which began on July 23, have concluded in Istanbul. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Rustem Umerov, and the Russian one by Vladimir Medinsky.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine continues negotiations with Russia in Istanbul for the sake of lasting peace, expressing readiness for a ceasefire and a meeting of leaders. The Ukrainian delegation seeks to return all deported persons, including children, and insists on a complete ceasefire.
Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations have started in Istanbul. The Ukrainian side intends to discuss the return of prisoners, children, a meeting of leaders, and a complete ceasefire.
A short preparatory meeting took place in Istanbul with the participation of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The Ukrainian delegation aims to discuss the return of prisoners, children, and a complete ceasefire.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian team is already holding meetings in Turkey. The priority of negotiations with the Russians is to prepare a meeting of leaders.
Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak held a meeting in Istanbul with the Director of the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey, Ibrahim Kalin. The parties discussed issues of the defense industry and the return of prisoners, as well as Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will insist on an immediate ceasefire and an end to strikes on civilian infrastructure during negotiations in Turkey. Restoration work continues in the Sumy region after a Russian drone attack that left more than 220,000 subscribers without electricity.
The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul to participate in the third round of negotiations with Ukraine. This was reported by Russian media.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The security situation, regional stability, and defense cooperation were discussed.
Mykhailo Podolyak stated that a real breakthrough in negotiations with Russia is possible only with strong military and sanctions pressure. The Istanbul format plays a humanitarian role and prepares the ground for future negotiations at the leaders' level.
Turkey has reached agreements with Great Britain and Germany on the acquisition of dozens of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. This will strengthen Ankara's defense in an unstable region, where it is also negotiating the purchase of F-16s.
