In a tense diplomatic dance, Ukraine and Russia recently resumed peace negotiations that have produced limited progress but exposed deep fissures over a possible ceasefire.
In May 2025, representatives from both countries met in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks since the 2022 invasion. The meeting lasted fewer than two hours and ended without a formal agreement on a 30-day ceasefire.
Still, the two sides reached a significant consensus: a prisoner-of-war exchange involving at least 1,000 individuals from each side. Ukraine’s negotiators prioritized exchanging wounded and young soldiers aged 18–25, and both sides also agreed to return the remains of fallen fighters.
However, the talks exposed a gaping chasm in political will. According to Ukraine, Russia submitted a “memorandum” demanding Kyiv withdraw from four contested regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — limit its military, freeze Western arms, and even hold elections under Moscow’s terms.
Moscow, for its part, floated a more modest—though still conditional—proposal: a short ceasefire in selected areas to retrieve bodies from the battlefield.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, said the terms were unacceptable. Kyiv insists on a full, unconditional ceasefire as a foundation for any further progress.
Meanwhile, Moscow remains adamant. The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has said that communications are paused for now, though formal channels remain open.
One of the thorniest sticking points is Ukraine’s sovereignty. Russia is demanding Kyiv relinquish ambitions of NATO membership, cap its military size, and even recognize Russian cultural influence. According to analysts, Moscow’s proposals amount to a maximalist “surrender script,” raising serious doubts in Kyiv and the West about Russia’s sincerity.
Despite the stalemate, Ukraine remains open. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv has sent Moscow a fresh offer for new peace talks, calling for a leaders-level meeting—ideally with Putin himself.
European leaders and the EU have echoed Kyiv’s demand for a 30-day ceasefire, urging Moscow to stop “hiding from decisions” and allow space for real diplomacy.
As of now, though, the Kremlin says the peace process is in limbo. With Russian demands unchanged and Ukraine committed to defending its sovereignty, any lasting ceasefire still feels elusive.
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