Russia And Ukraine Are Set To Hold Their First Direct Peace Talks In 3 Years In Turkey

In Istanbul, Turkey, the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early stages of Moscow’s 2022 invasion concluded after less than two hours, with a senior Ukrainian official stating that Russia presented new “unacceptable demands.” The two sides agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each, marking their largest swap since the conflict began. Discussions also included a ceasefire and a potential meeting between the heads of state. The talks highlighted the significant gaps in their positions to end the war. The U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate the peace process.

The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, faced off against a lower-level Russian team led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity for an immediate ceasefire.

Both countries engaged in diplomatic moves this week to demonstrate their commitment to negotiations, following Trump’s impatience with the slow progress. Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer for a face-to-face meeting in Turkey, Putin rejected it, leading to doubts about the seriousness of Russia’s efforts to end the conflict.

As the talks unfolded, a drone attack in northeastern Ukraine killed a woman and wounded four men, signaling continued violence on the ground. Ukrainian soldiers remain skeptical about the talks’ outcome, with one soldier expressing doubt that a swift resolution would be reached, given the ongoing military operations.

The talks were preceded by meetings between Ukrainian officials and representatives from the U.S., France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to align their strategies. The U.S. delegation, led by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, aimed to coordinate with Ukraine on key issues. The involvement of various international actors underscored the complexity of the conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.