Ukrainian and Russian representatives gathered once more in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday for another session of U.S.-facilitated discussions aimed at resolving the prolonged war sparked by Russia’s invasion over three years ago. This latest diplomatic effort follows immediately after Ukraine carried out a bold and unexpected drone strike targeting Russia’s long-range bomber assets.
Although discussions have been reignited, neither a truce nor a concrete agreement has been reached, despite considerable diplomatic pressure applied by President Donald Trump’s administration. The previous round of in-person discussions in Istanbul occurred in mid-May, marking the first face-to-face interaction between the two sides since the spring of 2022.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirmed early Monday that delegations had returned to Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace to resume their engagements.
On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, which, according to a government statement, was “at Russia’s request.”
“Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump’s call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve a lasting peace,” the State Department said.
In a statement issued by the Russian side, it was noted that both officials “exchanged views on various initiatives concerning the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.”
As part of its diplomatic position, Ukraine is seeking a comprehensive 30-day pause in military activity to create room for sustained negotiations. Russia, however, has pushed back on that proposal. President Vladimir Putin and his leadership team continue to maintain their original objectives for the war, set out at the very beginning of the conflict.
Moscow’s list of demands reportedly includes formal annexation of four territories currently contested, continued control of Crimea, demilitarization of Ukraine, and a permanent veto on Ukraine joining the NATO alliance.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in a social media update on Sunday that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would head the Ukrainian delegation.
He clearly outlined Ukraine’s expectations for the meeting. “First — a full and unconditional ceasefire,” he wrote. “Second — the release of prisoners. Third — the return of abducted children. And in order to establish a reliable and lasting peace and ensure security, preparation of the meeting at the highest level.”
The Ukrainian leadership continues to accuse Putin of intentionally derailing peace efforts since President Trump took office in January, following his campaign vow to bring an end to the conflict within 24 hours. Threats of tougher economic restrictions on Moscow have yet to sway the Russian position.
Zelenskyy and his allies across Europe have repeatedly urged Trump to take a harder stance against Putin — suggesting increased sanctions and expanded military aid to Kyiv. Trump’s appointed envoy for Ukraine-Russia affairs, Keith Kellogg, signaled growing irritation, saying last week that the president has “seen a level of unreasonableness that really frustrates him.”
In a previous phone discussion with Trump back in May, Putin reportedly pledged to share a “peace memorandum” that could form the basis of a negotiated solution. To date, that document has not materialized. However, on Sunday, Vladimir Medinsky — a senior adviser to Putin and a longtime member of the Russian negotiation delegation — confirmed that his team had received a Ukrainian draft of such a memorandum.
Since the Istanbul meeting last month, Trump has not held back in criticizing both sides. He recently referred to Putin as “absolutely crazy” and took aim at Zelenskyy with the remark, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
Oleksandr Merezhko, a legislator affiliated with Zelenskyy’s political faction and chair of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, expressed skepticism toward Russia’s diplomatic posture: “Russia’s primary goal is to avoid sanctions by pretending that it negotiates.”
Merezhko continued, “Putin is not interested in negotiations and ceasefire, because he hopes to start an offensive during summer.”
“On the one hand, he imitates negotiations to avoid Trump’s sanctions and simultaneously to demonstrate that Russia is not politically isolated. Yet, on the other hand, Putin hopes that if Trump will decide to withdraw from the negotiations, he will leave Ukraine without military support, one-on-one with Russia.”
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