Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended after nearly two hours without any substantial agreement, according to Independence, a Ukrainian newspaper. The talks, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey, marked the first official negotiation since the conflict reignited amid Ukraine's economic recovery in 2022.
The meeting was abruptly closed after Russian delegates imposed strict conditions on Ukraine. Chief among these demands was that Ukraine withdraw its troops from currently contested battle zones and surrender territories that Russian forces are attacking or already occupying.
According to reports, the only agreement reached during the session was a mutual decision to release prisoners of war. Sources state that both sides agreed to release the same number of detainees in the near future.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that no progress was made regarding a broader peace deal or the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine had submitted, supported by the international community. Russia firmly rejected the ceasefire unless its territorial demands were met.
Moscow insisted that Ukraine withdraw from four key regions which Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled as strategic "zones of Russian annexation" or satellite territories. These regions include Luhansk, Donetsk (both in the eastern Donbas region), Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson in southern Ukraine.
By the end of 2022, the Russian State Duma had approved the annexation of these four regions, even though full military control had not been achieved. Russia claimed legitimacy through widely disputed referendums held in these areas during heavy fighting.
According to a senior official from the Ukrainian presidential office, Moscow’s delegation reiterated that Ukraine must completely withdraw from these territories for Russia to consider a 30-day ceasefire. Ukraine, however, refused to recognize the annexation and labeled the demands as unacceptable.
The talks in Istanbul concluded without any roadmap toward peace, reflecting the deep divide between both sides. Although a prisoner exchange was agreed upon, no broader deal was reached, and the fighting is expected to continue.