The latest round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Istanbul on Monday without a significant breakthrough, as both sides failed to agree on a much-demanded unconditional ceasefire.
However, they did reach a deal to exchange all sick and seriously wounded prisoners of war, as well as those under the age of 25, and committed to returning the bodies of 12,000 fallen soldiers.
Ukrainian negotiators said Russia once again rejected a proposal for an “unconditional ceasefire”—a key demand of Kyiv and its Western allies. Instead, the Russian delegation suggested a temporary truce “in certain areas” along the front line for two to three days, without providing further detail.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s team, reiterated the need for a “full and unconditional ceasefire” across land, sea and air for a minimum of 30 days to “end the killings now”. He stated that Ukraine had submitted its truce proposal days before the meeting, while Russia only presented theirs during the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Moscow’s suggestion of a limited ceasefire. “I think ‘idiots’, because the whole point of a ceasefire is to stop people from becoming dead,” he posted on social media platform X.
Neither side has officially released their ceasefire proposals, though Russian state media outlined Moscow’s stance, which includes demands for Ukraine’s military withdrawal from the partly occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, as well as recognition of Russia’s control over these areas and Crimea. Additional conditions include restrictions on Ukraine’s army, a ban on NATO membership, the adoption of Russian as an official language, and the lifting of all international sanctions on Russia.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia confirmed Russia’s rejection of the ceasefire and said Kyiv had also submitted a list of hundreds of children allegedly taken to Russia by force.
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Ukraine expects a formal response to its proposals by the end of June and stressed the importance of preparing for potential direct talks between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, although there is no sign such a meeting is imminent.
At a separate briefing, Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky said Russia would return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers next week. Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine would reciprocate by returning the bodies of 6,000 Russian soldiers, though no specific date was provided.
While Ukraine continues to push for a ceasefire, Russia has instead emphasised the notion of a “lasting peace”, maintaining what Ukraine and its allies see as demands tantamount to capitulation.
From Vilnius, Lithuania, where he attended a summit, Zelensky remarked that “while there are no meaningful signals from Russia to end the war, it is important to strengthen our defence” and called for increased sanctions on Moscow.
The first round of talks, held on 16 May, also ended in stalemate, with both parties only agreeing to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each.
Zelensky and European leaders have consistently accused Russia of using negotiations to buy time and secure more territory. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has delayed imposing further sanctions on Russia but indicated he was “open” to a three-way summit with Zelensky and Putin “if it comes to that,” according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
“He wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together,” Leavitt said.
Last month, Trump publicly criticised Putin as “absolutely crazy” following a major missile and drone assault on Ukraine. The Kremlin dismissed the remark, suggesting Trump was suffering from “emotional overload”.
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