Russia hands Ukraine peace proposal, offers local ceasefire and prisoner exchange at Istanbul talks

In a significant development toward de-escalating the ongoing war, Russia on Monday formally presented Ukraine with a comprehensive peace proposal, outlining steps for a full ceasefire and a long-term peace agreement, according to Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation.

Speaking after the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, Medinsky described the draft memorandum as consisting of two core sections—one focused on immediate ceasefire mechanisms, and the other outlining a broader framework for lasting peace. “The document includes multiple scenarios to achieve its goals,” he noted, adding that the Ukrainian delegation received it for detailed review.

Temporary Ceasefire for Humanitarian Efforts

As part of the discussions, Russia offered a temporary ceasefire lasting two to three days along select areas of the front line to facilitate retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies. Both Moscow and Kyiv reportedly agreed to this localized truce, marking a rare moment of humanitarian cooperation amid the protracted conflict.

Medinsky also confirmed Russia’s unilateral plan to return the bodies of 6,000 identified Ukrainian soldiers next week. He described this as a gesture of goodwill intended to ease suffering on both sides.

Ukraine, for its part, acknowledged the limited ceasefire and is said to be preparing a broader proposal to institutionalize such humanitarian pauses.

Major Prisoner Exchange Agreement Reached

The talks also yielded what could become the largest prisoner exchange since the war began. Both parties agreed to an "all-for-all" swap, initially covering:

• Sick and severely wounded detainees
• Fighters under the age of 25
   

A joint commission will be established to manage the exchange of seriously injured prisoners, with the goal of minimizing political interference and expediting humanitarian relief.

Addressing Civilian Concerns and Child Reunification

On the sensitive issue of children separated by the conflict, Medinsky denied allegations of abduction, calling Ukraine’s claims “a show for compassionate Europeans.” He said Kyiv had provided a list of 339 children it considers affected. “We return children when their parents or legal guardians are located,” he stated, framing the issue as a humanitarian, not political, matter.

Talks Mark Second Türkiye-Hosted Round

The Istanbul session followed an earlier round of negotiations held at Dolmabahçe Palace on May 16, and reflects a renewed diplomatic momentum driven in part by Turkish mediation. Türkiye has continued to position itself as a neutral host for peace efforts, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently proposing a summit involving Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Though no immediate breakthroughs were announced, the agreements on humanitarian ceasefires, body retrieval, and prisoner exchange signal a cautious but noteworthy step forward in confidence-building between the two warring nations.

Observers say much will depend on Ukraine’s response to the Russian proposal and the political will on both sides to sustain and build upon these initial points of convergence.

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