Diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war intensified over the weekend, with European leaders gathering in Kyiv to push for a ceasefire and Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing talks in Istanbul. If both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet, it would be the first direct talks since the invasion began three years ago.
The conflict has seen numerous peace initiatives, starting with talks in Belarus on February 28, 2022, which led to humanitarian corridors but no agreement. In March 2022, Zelenskyy called for direct talks with Putin but was rebuffed. Talks in Istanbul that month saw Russia offer to reduce military activity, but progress stalled.
In April 2022, Russia rejected a Ukrainian peace proposal, and Ukraine later declared negotiations with Putin impossible after Russia annexed four Ukrainian regions. A grain deal in July 2022, brokered by Turkey and the UN, eased global food shortages but expired a year later.
Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan, unveiled in November 2022, has been discussed in multiple international meetings, including in Copenhagen, Saudi Arabia, Malta, and Switzerland, with participation growing from 15 to 92 countries. However, consensus has remained elusive, and Russia has dismissed the talks.
In 2025, US President Donald Trump engaged directly with Putin and Zelenskyy, proposing a 30-day ceasefire in March. Ukraine agreed, but Putin effectively rejected the plan, citing unresolved issues. Despite these efforts, a lasting peace remains out of reach.
