Second Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks in Istanbul Yield Limited Progress Amid Ongoing Conflict
Negotiations result in agreement for broader prisoner exchange; partial ceasefire proposals go unfulfilled.
The second round of direct negotiations aimed at negotiating an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul against a backdrop of intense and ongoing hostilities, concluding without any significant outcomes or a ceasefire agreement.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that the discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, mediated by Turkey, endured for just over an hour and noted that 'the meeting did not end negatively.'
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the Ukrainian delegation, stated that both sides agreed to exchange the remains of 6,000 soldiers from each nation.
Following the first round of talks on May 16, a comprehensive prisoner exchange involved 1,000 detainees from both sides.
Umerov suggested a subsequent meeting between June 20 and June 30, explaining that such gatherings are crucial for advancing the negotiation process.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, indicated military personnel under the age of 25 would be part of the agreed prisoner exchange.
Additionally, he put forth a proposal for a partial ceasefire lasting 'two or three days' in specific regions along the front lines.
Ukraine, however, maintains its insistence on an unconditional complete ceasefire.
Head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, mentioned that during the Istanbul talks, the Ukrainian side formally submitted a list of children allegedly 'illegally relocated' by Russia and requested their return.
He claimed that these involve hundreds of children transferred forcibly from Ukrainian territories, a move reportedly justified by Russia as necessary for their protection from combat.
The negotiations were intended to focus on potential frameworks for a comprehensive ceasefire and a long-term peace process while facing mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed that the United States might cease its mediation role if no progress is made.
At the opening of the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the world's eyes are on the discussions, noting that ongoing dialogue between Russia and Ukraine could help reduce discrepancies and facilitate peace.
Turkey has positioned itself as a mediator, having hosted the first round of talks on May 16, asserting that dialogue could lead to a de-escalation of the conflict.
Fidan stated, 'Our goal is for the two countries to continue assessing the conditions and views regarding the ceasefire while we also aim to progress in the process of wartime prisoner exchanges with humanitarian considerations in mind.' He added, 'Regular meetings gain importance and value in building trust between the two parties.'
In the previous round of negotiations, both sides had agreed to a substantial prisoner exchange, reaffirming their commitment to continue discussions to de-escalate tensions and achieve a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian delegation for this round included new members and was led by Minister Umerov, while the Russian team was led by Medinsky, who is a close advisor to President Vladimir Putin.
Turkey’s participation was reaffirmed despite earlier Russian statements indicating a preference for direct talks with Ukraine without intermediaries.
Ahead of the negotiations, the Ukrainian delegation engaged with representatives from Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, coordinating positions prior to the meeting.
As the second round commenced, Medinsky noted that Russia had received a draft note from Ukraine concerning potential peace settlement scenarios.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed prospects for resolving the conflict with U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio just days prior to the negotiations.
Shortly before the talks commenced, the Ukrainian delegation expressed readiness to make significant steps toward peace while hoping that Russia would refrain from reiterating previous demands.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine is prepared to take necessary measures for peace while calling for new sanctions against Russia if the negotiations failed to yield results.
He also noted that although Russia did not present a ceasefire memorandum, Ukraine remains committed to making advancements towards peace during the Istanbul discussions.
The backdrop to these negotiations included Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear warheads, highlighting the volatile situation leading up to the discussions.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that the discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, mediated by Turkey, endured for just over an hour and noted that 'the meeting did not end negatively.'
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the Ukrainian delegation, stated that both sides agreed to exchange the remains of 6,000 soldiers from each nation.
Following the first round of talks on May 16, a comprehensive prisoner exchange involved 1,000 detainees from both sides.
Umerov suggested a subsequent meeting between June 20 and June 30, explaining that such gatherings are crucial for advancing the negotiation process.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, indicated military personnel under the age of 25 would be part of the agreed prisoner exchange.
Additionally, he put forth a proposal for a partial ceasefire lasting 'two or three days' in specific regions along the front lines.
Ukraine, however, maintains its insistence on an unconditional complete ceasefire.
Head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, mentioned that during the Istanbul talks, the Ukrainian side formally submitted a list of children allegedly 'illegally relocated' by Russia and requested their return.
He claimed that these involve hundreds of children transferred forcibly from Ukrainian territories, a move reportedly justified by Russia as necessary for their protection from combat.
The negotiations were intended to focus on potential frameworks for a comprehensive ceasefire and a long-term peace process while facing mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed that the United States might cease its mediation role if no progress is made.
At the opening of the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the world's eyes are on the discussions, noting that ongoing dialogue between Russia and Ukraine could help reduce discrepancies and facilitate peace.
Turkey has positioned itself as a mediator, having hosted the first round of talks on May 16, asserting that dialogue could lead to a de-escalation of the conflict.
Fidan stated, 'Our goal is for the two countries to continue assessing the conditions and views regarding the ceasefire while we also aim to progress in the process of wartime prisoner exchanges with humanitarian considerations in mind.' He added, 'Regular meetings gain importance and value in building trust between the two parties.'
In the previous round of negotiations, both sides had agreed to a substantial prisoner exchange, reaffirming their commitment to continue discussions to de-escalate tensions and achieve a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian delegation for this round included new members and was led by Minister Umerov, while the Russian team was led by Medinsky, who is a close advisor to President Vladimir Putin.
Turkey’s participation was reaffirmed despite earlier Russian statements indicating a preference for direct talks with Ukraine without intermediaries.
Ahead of the negotiations, the Ukrainian delegation engaged with representatives from Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, coordinating positions prior to the meeting.
As the second round commenced, Medinsky noted that Russia had received a draft note from Ukraine concerning potential peace settlement scenarios.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed prospects for resolving the conflict with U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio just days prior to the negotiations.
Shortly before the talks commenced, the Ukrainian delegation expressed readiness to make significant steps toward peace while hoping that Russia would refrain from reiterating previous demands.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine is prepared to take necessary measures for peace while calling for new sanctions against Russia if the negotiations failed to yield results.
He also noted that although Russia did not present a ceasefire memorandum, Ukraine remains committed to making advancements towards peace during the Istanbul discussions.
The backdrop to these negotiations included Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear warheads, highlighting the volatile situation leading up to the discussions.