Zelensky gives huge update on Ukraine-Russia peace talks to occur in hours

 A new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is to take place in just hours, Volodymyr Zelensky has announced. The Ukrainian President said on Monday evening, during his daily address to the nation, that representatives from both Ukraine and Russia would meet in Istanbul on Wednesday, July 23.

Mr Zelensky said: "Today, I discussed with [Ukrainian Security Council chief] Rustem Umerov the preparations for a prisoner exchange and another meeting in Turkey with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday." Mr Zelensky had proposed a new round of talks over the weekend in a bid to restart the negotiations after they came to an abrupt halt last month.

The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly said he wants to have face-to-face discussions with his Russian counterpart, who has so far swerved the chance to meet Mr Zelensky in person for peace talks.

Mr Zelensky said last week: "A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace."

The Ukrainian president extended his offer to meet Putin also on Tuesday, and insisted lower-level delegations like the ones expected for talks in Istanbul on Wednesday don't have the political heft to stop the fighting.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dampened hopes a meeting between the leader could happen anytime soon as he said on Tuesday that "a lot of work needs to be done before having a detailed discussion on a possibility of high-level meetings".

This comes after US President Donald Trump voiced his frustration at Russia's apparent lack of commitment to peace.

After saying in late March he was "very angry" at Putin for his attempts to undermine Mr Zelensky's leadership, Mr Trump issued an ultimatum to Russia in mid-July.

In a stark message to the Kremlin, the US President said he was ready to issue "severe" sanctions against Russia should no ceasefire be reached within 50 days.

Putting further pressure on Moscow, the US President also announced he'd supply Ukraine with more Patriot missiles.