The first face-to-face discussions between Ukraine and Russia in over three years took place on Friday in Istanbul, starting with low expectations and ending with only limited progress.
Despite clearer skies over the Bosphorus later in the day, there was no corresponding breakthrough in negotiations. The most tangible outcomes were a significant prisoner exchange and the agreement to explore two future topics: a potential meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, and a discussion of ceasefire conditions.
However, the ceasefire issue underscored major disagreements. Russia had initiated the talks shortly before a deadline from Ukraine and its allies that demanded a 30-day unconditional ceasefire—or else new sanctions would be imposed. starting the discussions, Moscow temporarily avoided those penalties.
Ukraine expressed willingness to finalize a ceasefire immediately, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi suggested that Russia’s delegation may not have had the authority to make such decisions, referring to it as a “low-level” team with a “limited mandate.”
Another major sticking point was Russia’s demand that Ukraine pull back from areas it still controls in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions—territories Moscow attempted to annex in 2022. This requirement is not new, but it remains unacceptable to Ukraine and has drawn criticism from Western leaders. U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently called the demands excessive and unrealistic.
As U.S. officials left Istanbul, frustration was evident. After speaking with both sides before the negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced disappointment over the nature of the talks, saying they lacked the high-level engagement that had been expected. “We came under the impression that senior-level discussions would take place between Russians and Ukrainians,” Rubio said. “That didn’t happen the way we anticipated.”
In response, Ukrainian leaders quickly moved to frame the narrative. Shortly after the Istanbul talks concluded, President Zelensky held a call with U.S. President Donald Trump and key European leaders while attending a summit in Albania.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to pursue peace rapidly, but also emphasized that the international community must take a firm stand if Russia refuses a full, unconditional ceasefire. “If the killings continue and the Russians reject a genuine truce, strong sanctions must follow,” he posted on social media.
Ukrainian officials echoed his stance at the talks. “Today’s initial progress needs to be reinforced,” said First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya. “That means increasing pressure on the Russian Federation.”
Ukrainian delegates also highlighted the importance of the prisoner exchange deal, calling it a major success. “Agreeing on a 1,000-for-1,000 swap makes today’s effort worthwhile,” Tykhyi said.
Still, with Russia refusing to consider an unconditional ceasefire, declining to send senior officials, and maintaining terms that the U.S. has already dismissed, there’s no clear sign Washington is ready to apply more pressure.
Instead, former President Trump pledged on Friday to arrange a meeting with Putin “as soon as possible,” reiterating his belief that meaningful progress won’t occur until he personally speaks with the Russian leader. “Nothing’s going to move forward unless Putin and I meet,” Trump stated earlier in the week.
Summing up the Russian side’s view, chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said simply, “We are content with the results and open to further dialogue.”
Source: CNN
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