After nearly two hours of discussion, it was concluded in Istanbul the first session of the direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the first since March 2022. The talks, held in the Dolmabahçe Palace with Turkish mediation, they have not produced any concrete progressRussian and Ukrainian diplomatic sources, as well as the Turkish Foreign Ministry, confirm this.
According to the agency Ria Novosti, the session lasted approximately 1h40mn. Ukrainian sources speak of 'unacceptable' demands advances from Moscow, including the withdrawal of Kiev troops from large swathes of territory under Ukrainian control in exchange for a total ceasefire.
Kiev accuses Moscow: "Unrealistic proposals, a way to sabotage negotiations"
A senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told theAssociated Press that the Russian delegation put on the table "unrealizable proposals“, never discussed before, with the'aim to wreck the talks without taking responsibility for the failure. “Russia’s demands are disconnected from reality and go beyond any previously discussed terms,” the source added.
Secondo Reuters, the conditions imposed by Moscow would include not only Ukrainian military withdrawal from large areas, but also other preconditions not declared in the preparatory phase, deemed “not constructive” by Kiev.
On the Ukrainian front, the Defense Minister Rustem Umerov he announced that during the negotiations the possibility of a large-scale prisoner exchange, hypothesizing a "thousand per thousand" mechanism. Umerov also explained that they are evaluating further modalities to facilitate this agreement. “We are also potentially preparing a meeting at the level of leaders of the countries" said the defense minister.
On the Russian side, however, the Head of Delegation Vladimir Medinsky said that both sides will present “his vision of a possible ceasefire“. Medinsky stressed the intention to continue negotiations, calling the continued diplomatic confrontation “appropriate.”
The parties have agreed to exchange 1.000 prisoners of war each in the next few days, one of the largest exchanges of its kind since the conflict began.
A new round is possible, but nothing has been scheduled
Ukrainian sources quoted by AFP have left the possibility of a second round of interviews within the day is open, while specifying that at the moment "nothing is planned". "Our teams are ready to work for as long as necessary," said an official close to the Kiev delegation.
Talks with the Ukrainian delegation that will leave Istanbul in the evening will not take place today, but in principle the delegations will meet again to negotiate a ceasefire, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
In the hours preceding the talks, a meeting had been held trilateral meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and the representatives of the United States and Türkiye. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had defined "positive" the confrontation with the American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the special envoy Keith Kellogg and the Turkish minister Hakan Fida. “We are on the same side on the need to advance the peace process,” Sybiha said, “and we have sent a delegation to Istanbul with a clear mandate and serious intentions.” On the US side, President Donald Trump – visiting Abu Dhabi today – reiterated his desire to meet Putin “as soon as possible”.
Zelensky: “Russian delegation without power, an international reaction is needed”
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Tirana during the summit of the European Political Community, has criticized the composition and the mandate of the Russian delegation, calling it “low-level and without decision-making power.” “If the Russian representatives cannot even agree to a ceasefire, it will be clear that Putin continues to sabotage every diplomatic possibility,” he said.
Zelensky also called for “a strong reaction” by the international community in case of failure of the negotiation process, including the adoption of new sanctions against Russia, particularly in the energy and banking sectors.
During his speech in Tirana, Zelensky reiterated the need to build a “minimum level of trust” in the negotiations. Among the first proposed measures, the release of prisoners of war, the return of children deported from Russia and the release of civilian hostages. “We also need to clarify who in the Russian leadership has the real power to decide. We know that,” the Ukrainian president concluded.
The Turkish president also spoke at the CPE summit Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who stressed the importance of encouraging the parties “without imposing anything” to promote a just and lasting peace.
In Tirana, the "willing" summit: Giorgia Meloni still absent
In parallel with the negotiations in Istanbul, in Tirana, during the EPC summit, a meeting was held the meeting of the so-called "volunteers", in which they also participated Zelensky and by telephone the American president Donald Trump. Absentinstead, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who did not take part in the discussion.
The meeting was attended by the French president Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Polish leader Donald Tusk. At the center of the discussion was the situation of the war in Ukraine and negotiations underway in Istanbul.
During the phone call with Trump, Zelensky and the European leaders have discussed the prospects for diplomatic dialogue. The Ukrainian president then reported on Telegram the urgency of taking “the fastest possible steps for the sake of real peace,” stressing the importance of the international community maintaining a firm position. “If the Russians refuse a complete and unconditional ceasefire, severe sanctions must be applied. Pressure on Russia must continue until it is ready to end the war,” Zelensky warned.
“We spoke by phone with President Trump to summarize the efforts made to negotiate with the Russians. The Russian side did not show good will and placed unacceptable conditions. We will continue to work together. The main task is to maintain the unity of European and American partners around the Ukrainian issue,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a joint press statement with Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz and Volodymyr Zelensky after the connection with Donald Trump. “The Russian position – he added – cannot be defined as constructive in any way”.
Last update 17,50am
