ISTANBUL: Ukraine and Russia failed to reach a ceasefire agreement during their first face-to-face negotiations in over three years, held in Istanbul on Friday. The brief meeting, lasting less than two hours, ended without progress as Moscow presented demands that Kyiv dismissed as “non-starters.”
Despite pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump to end what remains the deadliest European conflict since World War II, the negotiations yielded little beyond an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side — potentially the largest swap of the war to date.
Kyiv rejected Russia’s conditions, which reportedly included ultimatums for Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of its own territory in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. A Ukrainian delegate, speaking anonymously, said the demands were “detached from reality” and described them as “non-constructive.”
Following the failed talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promptly coordinated with key Western leaders, including Trump, as well as the heads of France, Germany, and Poland. He urged them to impose stronger sanctions on Moscow if it refuses to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled Russia’s stance “clearly unacceptable” and affirmed that Europe, Ukraine, and the U.S. are closely aligned in their response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU is preparing a new round of sanctions against the Kremlin.
Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said Moscow was open to continued dialogue and acknowledged Kyiv’s request for a direct meeting between President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
