For the first time since 2022, Russia and Ukraine held face-to-face peace talks in Istanbul, with hopes of negotiating a ceasefire after more than three years of war. However, the absence of key global leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump, cast doubt on the possibility of a breakthrough.
Ukraine’s delegation was led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, a reformist Crimean Tatar with close ties to Turkey. He was joined by senior figures including presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, intelligence chief Vasyl Malyuk, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and newly appointed army chief Andriy Hnatov. Zelenskyy had earlier stated that without direct talks with Putin, negotiations risked becoming symbolic rather than substantive. He called the opposing envoys “stand-in props” and reiterated his request for a face-to-face meeting with the Russian leader.
“Russia does not feel it needs to end the war, which means there is not enough pressure, political, economic or otherwise, on the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy said, calling for a “full, unconditional, and honest ceasefire” as the primary goal.
The Russian side was represented by a controversial team led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, described by *The Guardian* as an “ultra-conservative” and nationalist propagandist. Joining him were Igor Kostyukov, GRU intelligence chief linked to covert operations; Col Gen Alexander Fomin, a military diplomat; and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.
Despite the historic nature of the talks, expectations remained low after Trump publicly dismissed the process, claiming, “No peace deal will materialise until Putin and I get together.” Trump opted out of attending, choosing instead to continue a pre-planned Middle East visit.
In a speech in Tirana, Albania, Zelenskyy urged Western leaders to prepare strong sanctions against Russia if the Istanbul talks failed to yield results. “If it turns out the Russian delegation is just theatrical and can’t deliver any results… There needs to be a strong reaction, including sanctions on Russia’s energy sector and banks,” he said.
One significant outcome of the talks was the agreement between Russia and Ukraine to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, a move Turkish officials helped facilitate. The date of the transfer remains undisclosed.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed both delegations, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire. “This new window of opportunity must not be wasted,” he said.
