ISTANBUL, Turkey – Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul on Wednesday for a brief session of peace talks, making some headway on humanitarian issues, particularly prisoner swaps, but failing to bridge significant gaps on ceasefire terms and the prospect of a meeting between their respective leaders. The 40-minute encounter marked one of the shortest direct engagements between the two warring nations since renewed talks began.
Ukraine’s chief delegate, Rustem Umerov, stated after the discussions, “We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities.” He revealed that Ukraine had formally proposed a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of August. Umerov emphasized that by agreeing to this proposal, Russia could “clearly demonstrate its constructive approach.”
However, Russia’s chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, quickly pushed back on the idea of a leaders’ summit being a starting point for negotiations. He asserted that the purpose of such a high-level meeting should be to sign an already agreed-upon document, not to “discuss everything from scratch.” Medinsky reiterated Moscow’s long-standing call for a series of short ceasefires, lasting 24-48 hours, primarily to facilitate the retrieval of bodies. Ukraine, conversely, continues to insist on an immediate and much longer, comprehensive ceasefire.
The talks in Istanbul unfolded just over a week after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, threatening heavy new sanctions on Russia and countries that purchase its exports unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days. Despite this ultimatum, there was no tangible sign of progress towards a comprehensive peace agreement during Wednesday’s discussions.
Humanitarian Progress Amidst Stalemate
While broader peace terms remained elusive, both sides confirmed that discussions focused on further humanitarian exchanges. A prisoner swap had already taken place on Wednesday, coinciding with the talks. Medinsky announced that negotiators had agreed to exchange at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side. Additionally, he stated that Russia had offered to hand over another 3,000 Ukrainian bodies.
The issue of Ukrainian children, whom Kyiv accuses Russia of abducting, was also on the agenda. Medinsky claimed Moscow was working through a list of 339 names provided by Kyiv. Russia denies the abduction charge, asserting it has offered protection to children separated from their parents during the conflict. “Some of the children have already been returned to Ukraine. Work is under way on the rest. If their legal parents, close relatives, representatives are found, these children will immediately return home,” Medinsky stated.
Umerov, however, maintained Kyiv’s firm stance, stating that Ukraine expected “further progress” on POWs and continued to “insist on the release of civilians, including children.” Ukrainian authorities estimate that they have forcibly deported at least 19,000 children.
Shortest Talks Yet and Diverging Views on Summit
The Kremlin had played down expectations for the Istanbul meeting even before it began, describing the two sides’ positions as “diametrically opposed” and advising against expecting “miracles.” At just 40 minutes, Wednesday’s session was notably shorter than the previous encounters on May 16 and June 2, which combined lasted under three hours.
Oleksandr Bevz, another member of the Ukrainian delegation, clarified that Kyiv’s proposal for a Putin-Zelenskiy meeting in August was deliberately timed to fall within the 50-day deadline set by U.S. President Trump for a peace deal.
However, a direct meeting between the two leaders faces significant hurdles. Putin had previously turned down Zelenskiy’s challenge for an in-person meeting and has publicly questioned Zelenskiy’s legitimacy as leader, given that Ukraine, under martial law, did not hold new elections when Zelenskiy’s five-year mandate expired last year.
While Trump has recently appeared to mend relations with Zelenskiy after a public dispute in February, he has also expressed growing frustration with Putin. Nevertheless, sources close to the Kremlin recently told Reuters that Putin remains unfazed by Trump’s ultimatum and intends to continue fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace, suggesting his territorial demands may even widen as Russian forces advance.