Readiness Affirmed for Dialogue in Istanbul by Ukraine
Prepare for Another Battlefield Dialogue: Ukraine and Russia Set to Clash Again in Istanbul, June 2, 2025!
On June 2, 2025, the warring factions of Russia and Ukraine will once more face off, but this time not on the battlefield, but in Istanbul, Turkey. The upcoming talks, scheduled for next week, have sparked anticipation and a glimmer of hope for potential breakthroughs.
Andriy Yermak, Head of Volodymyr Zelensky's Office, confirmed Ukraine's readiness to send a delegation for the talks. He echoed Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, who, during a press conference with Hakan Fidan, Turkey's Foreign Minister, reaffirmed Ukraine's interest in continuing these critical discussions.
Sybiha also emphasized Ukraine's expectation for a memorandum from Moscow. Moreover, he recurrently mentioned that Ukraine has forwarded a document outlining its vision for a ceasefire and conflict resolution to the Russian counterparts.
The last round of Russia-Ukraine talks transpired on May 16, 2025, in the Grand IV Hagia Irene Convention Center in Istanbul. The talks, which lasted approximately two hours, resulted in a momentous prisoner exchange – each side exchanged 1,000 prisoners – the largest to date [1][3]. However, these talks did not culminate in a broader ceasefire agreement or a roadmap to end the war [3].
In the upcoming second round, the focus will be on exchange agreements focusing on soldiers under 25 years old and the severely ill [1][3]. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has underscored three primary priorities for Kyiv – a 30-day ceasefire, a fresh prisoner exchange, and the return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children by Russia [1].
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has maintained a hardline stance, demanding the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, the retention of Crimea, Ukrainian demilitarization, and a permanent bar on Ukraine's NATO accession [2]. The opposing sides have agreed to submit their "peace memorandums" outlining their key positions before Monday [1].
As we move closer to June 2, both Russia and Ukraine will be preparing their arguments, aiming for answers that will end the devastating conflict. Stay tuned for the latest updates from Istanbul!
(c) 2025, RIA "Novy Day"
Insights:
- Both Russia and Ukraine signed a document on the particulars of prisoner exchanges during the talks on June 2, 2025 [1].
- Russia has agreed to hand over 355 prisoners, and Ukraine will release approximately 300 [1].
- controversially, the exchange will focus on soldiers under 25 years old and those who are seriously ill [1].
- The talks this time around have largely avoided discussions regarding territorial disputes and Ukraine's NATO membership [1].
- Prior to the talks, the Ukrainian side accused Russia of sending thousands of its soldiers into Ukraine, mainly within the Donbas region [1].
The upcoming diplomatic talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 2, 2025, will not only focus on prisoner exchanges but also discuss the release of soldiers under 25 years old and the severely ill from either side. Despite the avoidance of territorial disputes and Ukraine's NATO membership in these talks, tensions remain high, with Ukraine accusing Russia of deploying thousands of soldiers within Ukrainian territory, particularly in the Donbas region. This development is part of the ongoing politics and general news surrounding war-and-conflicts.
