In a significant diplomatic development, Russia and Ukraine convened in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks since March 2022. The meeting, held at the Dolmabahce Palace, lasted under two hours and concluded without a ceasefire agreement. However, both sides agreed to a substantial prisoner exchange, with 1,000 individuals to be swapped from each side, marking the largest such exchange since the onset of the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, advocating for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, communicated with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders post-talks, urging for intensified sanctions against Russia should it decline the proposed truce. Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine's readiness to pursue swift actions towards genuine peace and called for a unified global stance.

Russia, represented by lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, expressed satisfaction with the discussions and a willingness to continue negotiations. However, Moscow remains cautious, citing concerns that Ukraine might utilize a ceasefire to regroup and secure additional Western support. Russia insists on detailed terms for any potential ceasefire before committing.

The talks' atmosphere was reportedly calm, yet the absence of high-level leaders like President Putin and President Trump has cast doubts on the potential for significant breakthroughs. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with hopes that future negotiations may pave the way for a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict.