Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to meet in Istanbul today for the most significant peace talks since the war began, as both sides remain deeply divided over key demands and military attacks escalate on the ground.
Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet today in Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks since 2022, amid mounting international pressure and a surge in fighting on the front lines. The latest discussions come as the two sides remain far apart on core issues, including territorial claims and military conditions for any potential ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded progress, warning that Washington could reconsider its involvement if negotiations continue to stall. “If the sides are too stubborn to make peace, the U.S. will walk away,” a White House spokesperson reiterated, emphasizing Trump’s frustration with both Kyiv and Moscow.
The first round of negotiations, held on May 16, resulted in the largest prisoner swap of the war but no breakthrough on a ceasefire or peace framework. The Istanbul talks will see Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov lead Kyiv’s delegation, while Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will head Moscow’s team.
Medinsky's comments underline Russia's position that negotiations cannot come at the cost of weakening its military advantage.
Over the weekend, the conflict escalated dramatically. Ukraine launched an unprecedented strike on Russian military targets deep inside Siberia, targeting nuclear-capable bombers and other installations. Meanwhile, Russia unleashed 472 drones on Ukrainian territory - the highest overnight count since the war began, according to Ukraine’s air force.
While Russia initially dismissed Ukraine’s calls for a ceasefire, President Vladimir Putin later proposed the idea of drafting a memorandum to outline a peace framework before formal ceasefire talks could begin. Ukrainian officials say they are still waiting for Moscow's draft, though Medinsky confirmed on Sunday that Russia had received a draft from Ukraine and would respond on Monday.
U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg said both sides are expected to present written proposals in Istanbul. Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, and possibly the U.S. are expected to attend in a support role, although the extent of their involvement remains unclear.
Ukraine’s delegation will also include Deputy Foreign Minister and senior military and intelligence officials, per a recent order by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to a peace proposal seen by Reuters, Kyiv is demanding no limitations on its future military capacity, no recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied territories, and reparations for war damages.
The document also proposes using the current front line as a basis for future territorial negotiations. Russia currently occupies just under 20% of Ukrainian territory - about 113,100 square kilometers, roughly the size of the U.S. state of Ohio.
Donald Trump has expressed hope that a peace deal is achievable. He warned that if Putin continues to delay, the U.S. could impose stricter sanctions on Russia.
Whether the talks in Istanbul can deliver real progress remains uncertain, but the international community is watching closely as the war nears its fourth year with no end in sight.
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to ...
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 2...
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecu...
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in G...
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to see if America is "truly serious about diplomacy". Israel's armed forces has launched a missle attack into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into north Israel.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Residents in central Gaza are preparing to vote in municipal elections on Saturday (25 April), marking the first ballot in the Strip since 2006. The vote in Deir al-Balah is being watched closely as a rare indication of public sentiment, including towards Hamas.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war suffered a setback on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned envoy visit to Pakistan for talks, even as parallel regional diplomacy continued and military tensions escalated in Lebanon.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (25 April), in an assault apparently involving jihadist and Tuareg-led groups.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
China has urged the European Union to take its concerns seriously over new cybersecurity and digital regulations, warning they could create difficulties for Chinese companies operating in Europe.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment