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:
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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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia handed over 21 bodies in a recent exchange—20 of them were Russian soldiers, and one a foreign mercenary.
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Seven Baltic and Nordic countries asked on Friday to ban Russian soldiers from entering the Schengen zone.
The Kremlin said on Friday it could not predict whether Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump would meet in person this year, citing the increasingly unpredictable nature of global affairs.
North Korea strongly condemned the U.S. strike on Iran, calling it a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security interests.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency Board of Governors meeting today after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
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The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the recent American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities inflicted “monumental damage,” citing satellite images as evidence.
North Korea strongly condemned the U.S. strike on Iran, calling it a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security interests.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency Board of Governors meeting today after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
North Korea strongly condemned the U.S. strike on Iran, calling it a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security interests.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency Board of Governors meeting today after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
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