Rudolph Angler Russian and Ukrainian officials held rare face-to-face peace talks on Friday at Turkey’s historic Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. The meeting, lasting just under two hours, was the first direct negotiation between the two countries since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The discussions focused on halting the war, now in its third year. Delegates sat across a U-shaped table and exchanged proposals. While a breakthrough was not reached, both sides did agree on a significant step forward: the largest prisoner swap to date.
No Progress on Ceasefire, Territorial Demands Remain a Sticking Point
During the talks, Russia proposed a 30-day ceasefire. However, it tied the offer to a major condition—Ukraine must withdraw from four partially occupied regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Ukraine rejected the proposal firmly, stating that it would not give up any land and demanding full sovereignty over its internationally recognized borders.
“We stand for peace, but not at the cost of our territory,” a senior Ukrainian official said after the meeting.
Prisoner Swap Reached: 1,000 Soldiers to Return Home
Despite the political stalemate, both sides agreed to a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war. The agreement covers 1,000 captured soldiers—500 from each country—making it the biggest prisoner release since the war began.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed the move and confirmed that both parties had “agreed in principle” to meet again soon. He noted that Turkey remains ready to host further discussions and assist with confidence-building steps.
Presidents May Meet: Hopes for a Future Summit
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov shared that the possibility of a presidential summit was discussed. While no date was set, both parties appeared open to preparing for high-level talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian envoy Vladimir Medinsky confirmed that the delegations would now draft more detailed ceasefire proposals before any next steps.
After the Istanbul meeting, President Zelenskyy updated key allies—including leaders from the US, UK, Germany, France, and Poland—about the outcomes. He warned that delays in stopping the war would mean “more lives lost and ongoing suffering for civilians.”
Zelenskyy Calls for Stronger Sanctions
Taking to social media platform X, President Zelenskyy called for tougher sanctions against Russia if it refuses to accept a full ceasefire and withdraw from occupied areas.
“The time for waiting is over,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Every day of delay leads to more destruction and loss.”
Zelenskyy also met European leaders in Albania on Saturday. Talks there focused on how to maintain pressure on Russia using both economic and diplomatic tools. European allies pledged to keep working together to limit Russia’s ability to fund the war.
Trump Proposes Mediation: “It’s Time to End This”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Abu Dhabi after his Middle East trip, pushed for high-level international mediation. He said he is open to meeting President Putin “as soon as we can set it up.”
Trump told reporters, “This war needs to end. It’s time for us to just do it. The world can’t wait.”
He has called on both sides to stay open to dialogue and said he hopes a personal summit could help end the conflict. Trump’s remarks add pressure for a diplomatic solution, even as fighting continues in parts of Ukraine.
While Friday’s meeting did not deliver a ceasefire, it reopened a critical diplomatic channel. The prisoner swap was seen as a confidence-building measure, and the possibility of future talks—including a summit between presidents—keeps hope alive for a negotiated peace.