During recent peace discussions in Istanbul, Russian negotiators demanded that Ukraine withdraw its armed forces from all territories claimed by Moscow as a prerequisite for any ceasefire. According to a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the negotiations, this condition was presented at Friday’s meeting, the first direct engagement between the two nations since early 2022. The Kremlin has not officially commented on the reported demands, choosing instead to keep the specifics of its position confidential.
The Istanbul talks were brief, lasting just over an hour and a half, and concluded with an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war on each side. However, no timeline was provided for when that exchange would take place. The meeting marked a cautious step toward potential dialogue, though the atmosphere was tense and progress minimal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, called for the international community to strengthen sanctions against Russia, especially following a drone attack in Ukraine’s Sumy region that left nine civilians dead—a strike Kyiv has denounced as a deliberate targeting of innocents.
Russia continues to deny that it intentionally strikes civilian targets, claiming the Sumy attack hit a military installation. In parallel developments, Russian forces reportedly captured another settlement in eastern Ukraine, signaling Moscow's continued push for territorial gains. While diplomatic channels remain technically open, Russia’s hardline stance during the talks—insisting Ukraine relinquish Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—marks a significant hurdle. The Ukrainian official noted that these demands surpass the framework of a U.S.-backed draft peace proposal discussed with Moscow last month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov acknowledged recent U.S. involvement, saying after a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington had played a "constructive role" in helping revive talks. Nonetheless, Russia's actions on the battlefield and its stringent demands suggest that peace remains distant. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that further negotiations must remain confidential and hinted that a potential meeting between Putin and Zelenskiy would only happen if meaningful preliminary agreements are reached.
Tensions are further complicated by political pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been pushing both Kyiv and Moscow to end what he describes as a "pointless war." Trump has warned he may halt mediation efforts unless both parties demonstrate genuine intent to reach a resolution. After the Istanbul talks, Ukraine began seeking stronger international backing, with key Western leaders criticizing Russia’s approach. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French President Emmanuel Macron both condemned Moscow’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful diplomacy, with Macron asserting that Putin’s behavior continues to undermine the process.
Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing a new round of sanctions aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the sanctions would target vital sectors to "strangle" Moscow’s wartime economy. However, after more than three years of punitive measures, questions remain about how much further sanctions can go. Efforts to present a unified front have also been destabilized by Trump’s unpredictable involvement—urging Zelenskiy to negotiate while simultaneously delaying U.S. support until he meets with Putin himself. Though the Kremlin says it is open to such a summit, officials emphasize that thorough planning is required and confirm no direct contact has occurred between Moscow and Washington since Friday's talks.