Kathrine Frich
Mo mutual agreement on a truce has been reached.
Mo mutual agreement on a truce has been reached.
A Brief but Tense Encounter in Istanbul
The third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Istanbul on Wednesday, July 23, lasting just 40 minutes.
Despite the brevity, it marked the first official meeting in seven weeks.
The Russian news agency TASS reported there would be no immediate follow-up meetings between the delegations.
Civilians Included in New Prisoner Exchange Deal
Both sides agreed to a new exchange of detainees, not just military personnel, but civilians as well.
This marks a significant step forward, as previous swaps focused solely on prisoners of war.
The next phase of talks hinges on how this latest agreement is carried out.
Ukraine Proposes High-Level Talks
Ukraine put forward a proposal for a top-tier summit involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump by the end of August.
Kyiv has long pushed for direct talks between President Zelensky and President Putin, but Moscow has so far resisted.
No Russian Concessions Yet
Ukrainian delegation leader Rustem Umerov reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to implement a ceasefire, particularly to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure.
However, no mutual agreement on a truce has been reached, and Russia has yet to offer any concrete concessions.
Over 1,200 Individuals to Be Freed
Umerov announced plans for a broad humanitarian exchange involving more than 1,200 individuals.
Russia agreed to release prisoners held for over three years, prioritizing the seriously wounded and younger detainees, signaling a rare moment of compromise.
Trump Pressures Moscow with Sanctions Threat
10 days ago President Trump has ramped up pressure on the Kremlin.
He threatened severe new sanctions if a peace deal isn’t reached within 50 days.
His recent show of unity with Zelensky follows earlier tensions earlier in the year at the White House.
Turkish Diplomacy Pushes for Peace
At the opening of the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hope the parties could build on progress from their June meeting.
He called for a truce to “end this bloody war,” emphasizing Turkey’s role as a mediator between the two sides.
Russia Expands Territory Despite Peace Talks
Even as negotiations unfolded, Russian forces announced the capture of Varacine in Ukraine’s Sumy region.
The move follows a broader strategy by Putin to create a buffer zone after Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russian territory last year.
Putin Dismisses Talks, Sticks to Demands
Sources close to the Kremlin suggest Putin remains unmoved by Western ultimatums.
Russia continues to insist on sweeping demands: withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from occupied regions, military downsizing, and Ukraine’s neutrality outside NATO, terms Kyiv sees as unacceptable.
Zelensky Calls for Justice and Clarity
President Zelensky made clear Ukraine’s priorities: the return of abducted children, repatriation of prisoners, and real progress toward a leader-level summit.
But with Putin still refusing to recognize Zelensky as Ukraine’s legitimate president, the path to peace remains fraught.
