Russia and Ukraine Finalize Prisoner Exchange, But Truce Remains Elusive in First Talks Since 2022
Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement for a significant prisoner exchange, expressed intentions to discuss potential ceasefire proposals, and explored the possibility of a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin during their first direct discussions in over three years.
However, the highly anticipated talks in Istanbul, which lasted a little over 90 minutes, showed minimal signs of substantial progress toward resolving the three-year conflict.
Kyiv has been advocating for an “unconditional ceasefire” to halt a war that has devastated extensive areas of Ukraine and forced millions to flee.
Russia has repeatedly dismissed these calls, and the sole concrete outcome appears to be an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side.
Talks in Istanbul, Turkey, lasted just over 90 minutes (Photo: Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Russia also acknowledged Ukraine’s request for a meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky, according to officials.
“Overall, we are pleased with the results and are ready to maintain further communication,” Mr. Medinsky stated.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, confirmed the prisoner exchange in a separate statement and indicated that discussions on a ceasefire and a potential presidential meeting took place.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who facilitated the negotiations, mentioned that both parties had “agreed in principle to reconvene” and would submit ceasefire proposals “in writing”.
Ukraine rallies its Western allies
Ukraine has mobilized its Western allies following the talks.
Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the conflict, delegates from both nations convened for the first time since March 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion began.
Immediately after the talks concluded, President Volodymyr Zelensky reached out via phone to Mr. Trump and the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland, according to Mr. Zelensky’s spokesperson.
Ukraine has rallied its Western allies after the talks
A Ukrainian delegation source told Reuters that Russia’s demands were “disconnected from reality and far exceeded previous discussions.”
The source, requesting anonymity, claimed that Russia had issued ultimatums requiring Ukraine to withdraw from parts of its territory to secure a ceasefire, presenting “additional non-starters and non-constructive conditions.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the Russian position as unacceptable, stating that European leaders, Ukraine, and the U.S. were “closely aligning” their responses.
Mr. Zelensky asserted that strong sanctions should follow should Russia reject a ceasefire.
Expectations for a significant breakthrough, already low, diminished further when Mr. Trump, concluding a Middle East tour, claimed progress would be stalled without a meeting between himself and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s highest priority is “a full, unconditional, and honest ceasefire… to halt the killing and create a solid diplomatic foundation.”
He stated that if Russia declined, it should face robust new sanctions targeting its energy sector and banks.
Russia asserts that it seeks to end the war through diplomatic means and is open to discussing a ceasefire.
However, it has raised various questions and concerns, suggesting that Ukraine could exploit a pause to regroup forces, mobilize additional troops, and acquire more western weaponry.
Ukraine and its allies accuse Mr. Putin of procrastination, asserting that he is not genuinely interested in achieving peace.
Two paths
Both parties are under pressure from Mr. Trump to conclude Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The delegates were seated across from one another, with Russians in formal attire while half of the Ukrainian representatives wore camouflage military uniforms.
“There are two paths before us: one that may lead to peace, and another that will result in further destruction and loss of life,” Mr. Fidan expressed at the onset of the meeting.
The Ukrainian representatives conducted their discussions in their native language, despite Russian being widely understood in Ukraine.
Putin stays away
Mr. Putin had initiated the call for direct talks in Turkey but avoided a personal meeting with Mr. Zelensky, opting instead to send a team of mid-level officials.
In turn, Ukraine appointed negotiators of comparable rank.
Reports indicated that Russia had captured another village in its slow, methodical advance in eastern Ukraine.
Just before the Istanbul talks commenced, Ukrainian media reported an air alert and explosions occurring in the city of Dnipro.
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the direct talks (file photo)
Russia views the discussions as a continuation of the negotiations from the war’s early weeks in 2022, also held in Istanbul.
However, the terms under consideration at that time, when Ukraine was still reeling from the initial invasion, would have been highly disadvantageous for Kyiv.
These terms included significant reductions in the size of Ukraine’s military.
Mr. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, remarked that Russia’s efforts to align the new negotiations with the unsuccessful earlier ones would not succeed.
With Russian forces currently controlling nearly a fifth of Ukraine, Mr. Putin has maintained his long-standing demands that Kyiv relinquish territory, abandon its ambitions for NATO membership, and become a neutral state.
Ukraine rejects these terms as akin to surrender and is actively seeking assurances of its future security from global powers, particularly the U.S.
Follow live: More Russia-Ukraine talks may occur, but none are planned.
