Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine deemed crucial following discussions in Istanbul, as per Putin's remarks.
In the ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, hosted by Turkey, significant challenges persist and progress remains limited. The latest round of talks took place in Istanbul in late July 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has prioritised a full and unconditional ceasefire, a high-level summit involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, the US, and Turkey, and the return of prisoners of war (POWs), civilians, and deported children. Russia has agreed to some POW exchanges but remains far apart from Ukraine on key issues, and continues to reject Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
Russia's delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, has suggested continuing negotiations through virtual working groups to address political, humanitarian, and military issues, and to agree on short-term humanitarian ceasefires lasting 24 to 48 hours to recover casualties. However, Moscow has shown little willingness to engage in substantive peace talks or make concessions, maintaining maximalist war goals and using negotiations to try to extract concessions without abandoning its military objectives.
President Zelenskyy has expressed his readiness for direct face-to-face talks, but Russian President Putin has repeatedly declined to participate in person, sending lower-level officials instead. The renewed talks have been partly motivated by external pressure, including warnings from the US administration for Russia to end the war, but Kremlin officials remain reluctant to compromise significantly.
Looking ahead, while the negotiations provide a diplomatic channel and have enabled several prisoner exchanges, the fundamental gap between the parties’ demands and Russia’s ongoing military campaign make a near-term peace agreement unlikely. The talks may continue at a technical level with working groups, but substantive progress toward a lasting ceasefire or political settlement remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Russia has announced the first serial production of the "Oreshnik" hypersonic ballistic missile system, which has been delivered to the Russian army. President Putin has also questioned the constitutional legitimacy of the Ukrainian government and plans to deploy the "Oreshnik" system to Belarus by year's end.
President Zelenskyy has expressed his support for President Trump's efforts to end Russia's war and all its murders, and has urged Russia to be ready for leader-level talks. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has responded to Trump's threats of increased tariffs against Russia, emphasising the need for careful preparation before negotiations and against throwing stones at each other.
In summary, the peace talks hosted by Turkey are active but stalled by deep disagreements and Russia’s reluctance to concede. While prisoner exchanges and limited humanitarian ceasefires have been agreed upon, the prospects for a comprehensive peace settlement remain low in the immediate future.
- The ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, moderated by Turkey in Istanbul, face persistent challenges and limited progress, as Russia remains unwilling to engage in substantive talks and make necessary concessions.
- Despite President Zelenskyy's demands for a full and unconditional ceasefire, Russia has agreed to POW exchanges but remains far apart from Ukraine on key issues, including the rejection of Ukraine's proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
- The Turkish-hosted discussions have enabled several prisoner exchanges, but Turkey, Ukraine, and the US continue to pressure Russia to end the war, as Russia recently announced the first serial production of the "Oreshnik" hypersonic ballistic missile system and questioned the constitutional legitimacy of the Ukrainian government.
- President Erdogan's government, being part of the peace negotiations, attempts to facilitate discussions on political, humanitarian, and military issues, hoping for substantive progress towards a lasting ceasefire or political settlement.
- As Turkey pushes for resolution, the growing tensions between Russia and the general news headlines of war-and-conflicts continue to cast a shadow over the diplomatic relations between Turkiye, Russia, and other key players involved in the Ukraine conflict, including the US and Ukraine.
