Ukraine, Russia begin second round of peace talks in Istanbul

Ukrainian and Russian delegations have begun a new round of peace talks in Istanbul, with Kyiv pushing for a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and humanitarian measures, while Moscow continues to withhold its official terms and demands concessions unlikely to be accepted by Ukraine.

Ukrainian and Russian delegations began their second round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. The discussions, hosted by Turkish officials, aim to secure a ceasefire and a comprehensive all-for-all prisoner exchange. This follows a May 16 meeting that resulted in the largest prisoner swap of the war, but no progress toward a broader peace agreement.

Ukraine’s 14-member delegation is led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and includes representatives from the military, legal, and human rights sectors—several of whom were not present at the previous round. Before engaging with the Russian side, Umerov held bilateral talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to Suspilne.

Russia’s delegation is once again headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who also represented Moscow in both the initial 2022 Istanbul talks and last month’s round. While Russia has yet to submit an official memorandum of its peace terms, Ukraine is prepared to present a detailed roadmap designed to achieve a lasting settlement.

According to a proposal reviewed by Reuters, Ukraine’s plan begins with a minimum 30-day ceasefire, a full prisoner exchange, and the return of Ukrainian children relocated to Russian-held areas. The roadmap envisions culminating in a potential summit between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.

However, Moscow has signaled resistance to key elements of the proposal. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya stated on May 30 that Russia would only consider a ceasefire if Ukraine halts mobilization and ends foreign military assistance. Meanwhile, the Financial Times published what it identified as the full Ukrainian memorandum, which calls for strong security guarantees, the right to pursue NATO and EU membership, and the non-recognition of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories.

The document also proposes that any sanctions relief for Russia would be phased and conditional, while frozen Russian assets should be redirected toward Ukraine’s reconstruction. It envisions future negotiations involving U.S. and European officials and outlines five main agenda points for a potential Zelensky-Putin summit: a permanent ceasefire, security guarantees, territorial matters, compensation and reconstruction, and enforcement mechanisms for any final agreement.

Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian delegation members met with officials from Germany, Italy, and the U.K. to coordinate positions. Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia emphasized Kyiv’s commitment to peace and highlighted the key agenda items, including humanitarian measures and a possible leaders’ summit.

Security advisers from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany are also expected to attend, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. President Zelenskyy reiterated on June 2 that Russia had not submitted any formal memorandum to Ukraine, Turkey, or the U.S., but said Kyiv would nonetheless strive for progress.

Russian state media later reported that Moscow had received Ukraine’s proposals and would respond during the talks. However, Russia continues to insist on maximalist terms, including recognition of its illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories and Ukrainian troop withdrawal from contested regions—conditions Kyiv is unlikely to accept.

President Trump has voiced dissatisfaction with Moscow’s lack of concessions and its continued attacks on Ukrainian territory, yet has held back from imposing further sanctions.

The talks are taking place shortly after Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) carried out a major drone operation targeting Russian air bases, reportedly damaging 41 aircraft and disabling a third of Russia’s cruise missile-capable bombers.

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