Lebanon Talks: During ongoing negotiations, the U.S. envoy demanded a clear timeline for the phased handover of Hezbollah’s weapons, warning Lebanese officials that “time is running out.”

NEW: Lebanese Hezbollah has dismissed claims suggesting the group is preparing for a confrontation with the Lebanese state, calling the reports “completely false.”

The Turkish delegation has arrived at Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, where the Russia-Ukraine talks will take place.

The head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, has arrived at the Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, where talks with the Russia are set to take place.

NEW: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says any talk of ending nuclear program is a mere ‘illusion’.

NEW: Putin allows Russians to run for office and vote in Belarus, Belarusians granted same rights in Russia, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

NEW: U.S. and EU Near 15% Tariff Deal

The U.S. and European Union are finalizing a deal to waive 15% tariffs on select products, including aircraft, spirits, and medical devices.

EU will continue to prepare a possible €93bn package of retaliatory tariffs, set at up to 30 percent, in case they cannot agree a deal by August 1.

Zelenskyy on Istanbul Talks:

The priority is to prepare for the leaders' meeting, and our delegation has the necessary strength for this.

EU member states are set to vote Thursday on a €93 billion package of counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, according to EU diplomats.

NEW: Iran is worried that the United States will use the nuclear talks as a pretext for new attacks, according to Axios, citing a senior Iranian official.

YPG/PKK-affiliated SDF spokesperson:

Handing over weapons is a red line for us, and we do not compromise on principles. We are negotiating with Damascus as equal parties, not as subordinates or subservient ones.

NEW: Heads of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Medinsky and Umerov, are holding a bilateral meeting in Istanbul. The meeting is taking place one-on-one, according to Russian media.

NEW: The third round of talks between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine will most likely last only one day, an informed source said.

Source: RIA Novosti.

NEW: A technical delegation from the IAEA is expected to visit Iran within “two to three weeks,” according to an Iranian official.

Source: AFP

NEW: According to an RBC-Ukraine source, a brief preparatory meeting was held between Rustem Umerov, Vladimir Medinsky, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Members of the Russian delegation in Istanbul are communicating at the Çırağan Palace, where negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations are expected.

The Russia-Ukraine talks, mediated by Türkiye, begin with an opening speech by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Türkiye is ready to fulfill its responsibilities in line with the agreements to be reached by the parties.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Ankara gladly notes that the international community highly values the results of the first two rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Türkiye has the necessary infrastructure to monitor compliance with a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.