Russia and Ukraine Resume Direct Talks in Istanbul After Three-Year Freeze

Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul on May 16 for their first face-to-face negotiations in over three years, aiming to lay the groundwork for a potential ceasefire and renewed diplomatic engagement.

The meeting, hosted at Istanbul’s historic Dolmabahce Palace, was chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who stressed the urgency of halting the war and paving the way for a summit between the two countries’ leaders.

"This marks the first direct contact since March 2022. We must seize this opportunity to move closer to peace," Fidan said. "As lives continue to be lost, a ceasefire is not just desirable—it’s critical."

Leading the Ukrainian delegation was Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who stated that Kyiv is prepared for high-level direct talks and supports an “unconditional, comprehensive ceasefire.” In a statement on Telegram, Umerov said Ukraine had consulted with key allies—including the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany—before entering the negotiations. He described the talks as part of a broader effort to find “realistic solutions for a just and lasting peace.”

Umerov emphasized that any genuine peace must involve concrete actions from Moscow, including:

• A complete 30-day ceasefire,

• The return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia,

• And a full prisoner exchange, following the principle of “all for all.”

“We continue our fight for a just and sustainable peace, and we will not stop until it is achieved,” he said.

The talks followed a trilateral meeting the day before between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, and Turkey’s Fidan at the same venue. At the same time, Michael Anton, head of the U.S. State Department’s Policy Planning Bureau, held a private meeting with Vladimir Medinsky, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and chief negotiator for Moscow.

After these preparatory meetings, the Russian and Ukrainian delegations convened for the official session.

“Our negotiating team in Istanbul is in constant communication. The president is being briefed in real-time,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

However, tensions remain behind the scenes. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that Russia deliberately blocked U.S. participation in the talks. “They’re doing everything they can to keep the Americans away from the table,” the source said. The U.S. has yet to comment on the allegation.

This is the first direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine since their last attempt at a peace deal collapsed in April 2022. Back then, negotiations in Istanbul reportedly produced a draft agreement, but the talks were suspended after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pulled out.

The current round of talks, originally scheduled for May 15 but delayed by a day, features senior figures on both sides. Russia’s team includes:

• Vladimir Medinsky,

• Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin,

• Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin,

• And Igor Kostyukov, head of Russian military intelligence (GRU).

Ukraine’s delegation, led by Umerov, also includes Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Serhiy Kyslytsia, presidential aide Oleksandr Bevz, and senior defense and intelligence officials.

A Ukrainian diplomatic source in Istanbul told reporters that Kyiv hopes to discuss a possible Zelensky–Putin summit during the current talks, while prioritizing efforts to secure a monitored, long-term ceasefire.

“We recognize that any meaningful diplomacy must begin with a real, verifiable, and enduring ceasefire,” the source said.

(Sources: AFP, Reuters)

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