After months of tense standoffs and sporadic talks, the second round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations took place recently in Istanbul.
This meeting was seen by many as a cautious but important move toward trying to ease the ongoing conflict, even if no major breakthrough came immediately.
Quick Meeting Ends With Some Optimism
The talks lasted just over an hour and were held behind closed doors at Istanbul’s historic Çırağa Palace.
Following the meeting, Turkish officials described the outcome as “not negative,” which offered a bit of hope.
Afterward, both delegations headed for lunch, but no further sessions were scheduled for the day, and both sides prepared to depart Istanbul.
Prisoner Exchanges and Children’s Return at the Center
One of the key points of discussion was the ongoing prisoner exchanges.
Both Russia and Ukraine went into detail on this sensitive topic, and official statements about the results are expected soon.
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, highlighted that Ukraine handed over a list specifically naming hundreds of Ukrainian children who were either illegally deported or detained in territories currently controlled by Russia.
This step shows the humanitarian aspect still strongly on the table.
Who Was in the Room
The talks were hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who also floated the idea of a possible future summit between the top leaders of Russia and Ukraine.
On Russia’s side, the delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, President Putin’s aide, alongside other senior officials like Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Ukraine’s delegation, approved by President Zelensky, was headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and included key figures such as First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia.
Before their official meeting, both sides held separate side discussions with international representatives.
The Ukrainian team, in particular, met with officials from Italy, the UK, and France, signaling ongoing international involvement.
The Bigger Picture: Recent History of Talks and Exchanges
This second round followed the very first direct negotiations in over three years, which took place on May 16.
Those initial talks, prompted by President Putin, lasted around two hours and led to some important agreements, including a large prisoner swap involving thousands of people over several days.
This exchange was the biggest since the conflict began in 2022.
Peace Proposals and Memorandums Submitted by Both Sides
On the diplomatic front, Ukraine took steps to push peace efforts by submitting a memorandum of proposals to Washington on May 27.
The document called for an immediate halt to hostilities to open the door for more negotiations.
Ukraine made it clear that it would not accept any recognition of Russia’s claims over Crimea and several other contested regions.
Russia is reportedly finalizing its own peace memorandum, although Kremlin officials have been tight-lipped about its content.
According to Russian spokespeople, their document will set out principles and a timeline for peace talks moving forward.
What’s Next for the Istanbul Talks and Peace Process?
While no immediate deal came out of this second round in Istanbul, the talks underscore that both sides continue to engage, with prisoner exchanges and humanitarian concerns still at the forefront.
The world watches closely as the two nations try to find some middle ground amid the ongoing conflict, hoping that these steps in Istanbul are part of a longer path toward resolution.