Russia and Ukraine concluded a second round of negotiations in Istanbul without achieving a ceasefire agreement, although both sides agreed to a new prisoner exchange. The talks, which lasted about an hour, came amid intensified fighting and a bold Ukrainian aerial strike on Russian territory.
The Russian delegation presented a peace proposal that included demands for Ukraine to cede control of territories it still holds in four partially occupied regions. In contrast, Ukraine called for an unconditional and nationwide truce, said Ukrainian Defense Minister and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov.
Russia countered with an offer for a limited 2–3-day ceasefire along certain frontlines to allow for the evacuation of fallen soldiers, according to Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation and aide to President Vladimir Putin. Medinsky also presented a two-part memorandum proposing terms for a lasting ceasefire and peace agreement.
Despite failing to reach a political breakthrough, the sides agreed to prepare a new prisoner swap involving severely wounded prisoners of war, soldiers under 25 years old, and the exchange of 6,000 bodies. Ukraine also submitted a list of abducted children it seeks to have returned, according to top Zelenskiy aide Andriy Yermak.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned during a summit in Vilnius that if Russia fails to act on even this limited agenda, stronger international sanctions must follow. “If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong, new sanctions are urgently, urgently needed,” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suggested hosting a trilateral meeting involving Presidents Putin, Zelenskiy, and Trump in Istanbul or Ankara. The Ukrainian delegation also met with diplomats from the UK, Germany, and Italy ahead of the talks.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated as Ukraine launched one of its most ambitious drone strikes inside Russian territory. Ukrainian forces reportedly used 117 drones, concealed in trucks, to target military airfields across three time zones. Kyiv claims the attack damaged over 40 aircraft, including strategic bombers, while Russian sources acknowledged only minimal damage.
In response, Russia launched one of its longest sustained drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, with air raid sirens blaring for more than nine hours on Sunday night — further complicating the fragile diplomatic efforts.
The negotiations mark only the second time Russia and Ukraine have held direct public talks since the early phase of the conflict. Still, despite efforts from global actors — including U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a 30-day ceasefire — hopes for a near-term resolution appear dim.
