Russian and Ukrainian negotiators hold first direct Peace Talks in over three years

Russian and Ukrainian representatives convened in Istanbul on Friday for their first face-to-face peace negotiations in more than three years, amid growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to bring an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Live footage from Turkish television showed the delegations from both countries seated alongside Turkish officials. The meeting began with a speech from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Held at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace along the Bosphorus, the meeting marked a rare sign of diplomatic progress between the two nations, who last met in person in March 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Hopes for significant progress were already low and were further dampened on Thursday when Trump remarked that no real movement could be expected until he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wrapping up a tour of the Middle East and returning to Washington, Trump stated on Friday that he intends to meet Putin “as soon as we can set it up.”

Kyiv Pushes for Immediate Ceasefire

The head of Ukraine’s delegation outlined key priorities for peace: an immediate 30-day ceasefire, the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, and a comprehensive prisoner exchange.

While Moscow claims it is open to diplomatic solutions and willing to discuss a ceasefire, Russian officials expressed concerns that Ukraine might exploit any pause in fighting to regroup, recruit new troops, and secure additional Western weaponry.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse President Putin of deliberately delaying peace efforts and question his sincerity.

Although Putin proposed the meeting in Turkey, he declined an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend personally, instead dispatching mid-level officials. Ukraine responded by appointing representatives of similar rank.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, were also in Istanbul, participating in a series of separate meetings earlier in the day.

Rubio told reporters Thursday night that given the level of officials involved, a major breakthrough was unlikely.

“I hope I’m wrong—completely wrong. I’d love to wake up tomorrow and hear they’ve agreed to a ceasefire and to start serious negotiations. But I’m just giving my honest assessment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Russia announced on Friday that its forces had captured another village as part of their slow advance in eastern Ukraine. Just minutes before the Istanbul talks began, Ukrainian media reported an air raid alert and explosions in the city of Dnipro.