Russia and Ukraine held brief peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, lasting just 40 minutes. Ukraine's chief delegate, Rustem Umerov, said there was progress on the humanitarian front but none on a cessation of hostilities.
Ukraine proposed a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of August. Umerov stated that by agreeing to this proposal, Russia could demonstrate a constructive approach. Russia's chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, countered that a leaders' meeting should aim to sign an agreement, not discuss matters from scratch.
Medinsky reiterated Moscow's call for short ceasefires of 24-48 hours to allow the retrieval of bodies, while Ukraine insists on an immediate and longer ceasefire. The talks occurred a week after US President Donald Trump threatened heavy sanctions on Russia unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days, though no progress towards that goal was evident.
Both sides confirmed discussions on further humanitarian exchanges following recent prisoner swaps. Medinsky said negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners of war from each side, and Russia offered to hand over another 3,000 Ukrainian bodies. He also noted Moscow was working through a list of 339 Ukrainian children allegedly abducted, denying the charge and stating that children have already been returned to Ukraine.
Umerov said Kyiv expected further progress on POWs and insisted on the release of civilians, including children. Ukrainian authorities claim at least 19,000 children have been forcibly deported. The Kremlin had downplayed expectations before the talks, describing the positions as diametrically opposed.
