Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said the country will need at least $120 billion in defense spending next year. Kiev is negotiating with NATO member states and the European Union to seek $60 billion in support from international partners.
While Ukraine is preparing a defense budget, diplomatic activities between the country and Russia are being resumed. The first direct talks between the two sides in the past seven weeks are scheduled to take place in Turkey on July 23, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A Turkish source quoted by TASS said the talks could begin on July 23, while another source from RIA said the meeting would last two days, from July 24 to 25.
Mr Zelensky said he had worked with Mr. Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, to prepare for the upcoming Prisoner exchange and meeting with Russia. Umerov, who served as defense minister, was the leader of two previous rounds of talks with Russia and was appointed to his current position last week.
Although negotiations took place in Istanbul in June, there has been no breakthrough towards a ceasefire. Russia has demanded that Ukraine abandon four territories that Moscow says have been annexed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Zelensky's offer to meet in person. The Russian president said he would not consider Zelensky a legitimate leader because Ukraine would not hold a new election when his five-year term ended, as the country was under martial law.
Meanwhile, Russia continues missile and drone attacks on many Ukrainian cities. Ukraine also responded with long-range drone attacks.
