The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early months of Moscow’s 2022 invasion concluded in less than two hours on Friday. While both sides agreed to a major prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange, they remain deeply divided on core conditions for ending the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he had briefed U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland on the outcome. Posting on X from a European leadership summit in Tirana, Albania, Zelenskyy urged for “tough sanctions” against Moscow should it refuse “a full and unconditional ceasefire and an end to killings.”
At the Istanbul talks, both delegations agreed to a swap of 1,000 prisoners each—their largest exchange to date—according to statements from both delegations’ leaders.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, heading Kyiv’s delegation, said the two sides also discussed a ceasefire and the possibility of a future meeting between their respective heads of state.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, leading Moscow’s team, confirmed that Ukraine had proposed a presidential-level meeting, which Russia is considering. He added that both sides would exchange detailed ceasefire proposals in due course.
However, a senior Ukrainian official told the Associated Press that Russia introduced “unacceptable” new demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from large swaths of territory—a proposal that had not previously been tabled. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasised Ukraine’s commitment to achieving real progress, including an immediate ceasefire and a clear diplomatic pathway, in alignment with proposals from the U.S. and European partners.
During the talks, delegations sat opposite each other at a U-shaped table in Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace. Yet despite the symbolic significance of the venue, both sides remained far apart in substance.
Trump, who has been urging both Kyiv and Moscow to seek an end to the war, stated in Abu Dhabi that a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin would take place “as soon as we can set it up.”
“I think it’s time for us to just do it,” Trump told reporters while concluding a Middle East visit.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the talks by urging both sides to seize the opportunity, emphasising the critical need for a ceasefire “as soon as possible.” In a social media post following the meeting, Fidan described the POW exchange as a “confidence-building measure” and confirmed that both sides had agreed in principle to reconvene.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continued diplomatic engagements with European leaders in Albania. He held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
“Pressure on Russia must be maintained until it is ready to end the war,” Zelenskyy posted alongside a photo of the five leaders participating in the group call—their second since 10 May.
Diplomatic manoeuvring has intensified, with both Russia and Ukraine attempting to signal their willingness to negotiate following mounting pressure from Trump. Nonetheless, progress has been slow. On Thursday, President Putin rejected a face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy in Turkey, prompting Zelenskyy to accuse Moscow of failing to engage seriously by sending a low-level delegation.
Ukraine has accepted a U.S.–European proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire, but Putin has thus far declined, attaching sweeping preconditions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested growing momentum for a possible Trump–Putin summit, stating that such top-level talks were “certainly needed,” though he noted that organising them would require time.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian and Western analysts report that Russian forces are preparing a fresh offensive. On Friday morning, a drone strike on the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine killed a 55-year-old woman and injured four men, according to Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
According to the United Nations, over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia’s invasion began, with thousands of towns and villages destroyed. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have also died, alongside a likely higher number of Russian troops.
Speaking from the frontline, a Ukrainian soldier using the call sign “Corsair” expressed scepticism about the outcome of the talks. “I don’t think they will agree on anything concrete, because summer is the best time for war,” he said. Still, he added that some of his comrades believed peace—albeit an unstable one—could be achieved by the end of the year.
Ahead of the Istanbul talks, Ukrainian officials met with national security advisers from the U.S., France, Germany, and the UK to coordinate positions. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, led the U.S. delegation, while Umerov and Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak represented Ukraine.
Additionally, Turkish officials confirmed a trilateral meeting involving Turkey, the U.S., and Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kellogg were present for the American side.
Rubio said on Thursday that expectations for the talks were “not high,” but indicated a breakthrough might be possible only through a direct Trump–Putin meeting.
