After months of tension and sporadic backchannel talks, there’s a new development hinting at potential progress between Moscow and Kyiv.
Russia says it’s gearing up to hand Ukraine a draft proposal for a long-term peace settlement—once their ongoing prisoner swap is wrapped up.
This statement came directly from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who made the announcement in an official message shared by the Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Peace Deal in the Works After Istanbul Meeting
According to Lavrov, the groundwork for this upcoming draft was laid during recent discussions between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul on May 16.
Both sides reportedly agreed it was time to formalize their ideas for a ceasefire and move toward a broader agreement that could actually hold.
Vladimir Medinsky, who heads the Russian delegation, previously confirmed that each side would be preparing and presenting their own versions of a ceasefire roadmap.
Prisoner Swap Clears the Path for Next Step
Right now, Russia is focused on completing a large-scale prisoner exchange that was also agreed upon during those Istanbul talks.
It’s happening in a “1000-for-1000” format, with the first phase carried out on May 23.
That day, Russia welcomed back 270 soldiers and 120 civilians, and Ukraine received the same number in return.
Lavrov said once this exchange is complete, Russia will be ready to officially present its draft agreement to the Ukrainian government.
“The Russian side is putting the finishing touches on the document now,” he shared.
Lavrov Says Russia Still Wants a Peaceful End
Despite skepticism from many in the international community, Lavrov insisted that Russia remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution.
“Even in the face of provocations, we’re not walking away from negotiations.
Our door is always open,” he said, emphasizing Russia’s interest in pursuing a peaceful route forward.
Putin Backs Proposal for Peace Memo
Just a few days after the Istanbul meeting, President Vladimir Putin echoed Lavrov’s message.
He announced that Russia would be ready to sign a memorandum with Ukraine that outlines the general framework for a possible peace agreement.
But Putin acknowledged there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Both countries need to come to terms on the core principles of a settlement, how soon a peace deal could be signed, and whether a temporary ceasefire could be arranged while negotiations continue.
Kyiv Also Open to Drafting Its Own Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed that Ukraine is also on board with the idea of a memorandum.
He said Kyiv is waiting to see Russia’s version of the proposal and is already working on preparing one of its own.
This mutual interest in exchanging proposals, even if tentative, marks one of the more constructive developments between the two sides in recent months.
What Happens Next?
Now, the spotlight turns to how the rest of the prisoner exchange plays out—and whether Russia follows through with its promise to deliver the draft document.
If that happens, and Ukraine responds with its own version, it could lay the foundation for serious discussions about ending the war.
For now, though, both sides are cautiously exploring the next steps.
The world will be watching closely to see if this moment turns into a real turning point.