New Developments in Russia-Ukraine Talks: Prisoner Exchange Agreed, Yet Ceasefire Remains Elusive

Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement for a new prisoner exchange following a second round of renewed peace talks in Istanbul on Monday. However, there was little indication that either side was any closer to finalizing a ceasefire than they were when negotiations resumed a month ago.

The discussions lasted just over an hour and addressed each nation’s vision for a complete ceasefire and a more sustainable peace process, amidst significant disagreements and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who cautioned that Washington might withdraw from its mediation role if progress is not made.

After the talks, chief Ukrainian negotiator and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov informed reporters that his delegation provided the Russian representatives with a list of children Ukraine claims were forcibly relocated to Russia and that they seek to have returned. He also mentioned that both sides agreed to facilitate a new exchange of prisoners, along with a swap of 6,000 deceased soldiers’ bodies.

Umerov emphasized that key matters in the ongoing peace discussions “can only be settled at the leadership level” and proposed a third meeting in late June. He stated, “This is crucial for advancing the negotiation process,” as reported by Ukrainian state media.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation and Kremlin aide, confirmed that an agreement on a new exchange of prisoners of war was reached. He indicated that Russia and Ukraine would establish a regular medical commission to compile a list of prisoners for release, prioritizing those who are severely injured.

Despite this, Medinsky challenged Ukraine’s assertions regarding the abduction of children, accusing Kyiv of attempting to “create a spectacle” around the issue. He noted that children’s rights were a “key focus” during the Monday discussions.

Medinsky also proposed a short ceasefire along “specific sections of the front line” lasting two to three days, suggesting that this pause in combat would facilitate the retrieval of fallen soldiers’ bodies.

He added that the Ukrainian representatives received Russia’s suggestions for a long-term resolution to the conflict but summarized the discussions by stating, “Unfortunately, things did not go as well as hoped.”

The previous meeting between the two parties was held in Istanbul on May 16, when an agreement was made to exchange 1,000 prisoners each. However, that round of negotiations did not lead to a wider ceasefire agreement or a plan to conclude the war, which has been a priority for Trump since he assumed office.

Reports indicated that during the initial talks in May, Russian negotiators insisted on Ukraine withdrawing its forces from four partly occupied regions in eastern Ukraine, and Moscow suggested further military action aimed at capturing the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.

Ukrainian officials have claimed that approximately 50,000 Russian troops have concentrated near Sumy in preparation for a possible offensive, with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials hinting at ongoing territorial ambitions.

The recent talks occurred just a day after Ukraine executed a stunning coordinated drone assault on airbases across Russia, while nighttime airstrikes continued from both sides. Kyiv asserted that the operation, named “Spider’s Web,” resulted in the destruction of numerous strategic bombers.

President Zelensky confirmed that his delegation would proceed to Istanbul only after the completion of this operation, which was a significant embarrassment for Moscow.

As the second round of talks commenced, Russia’s demands for an end to the conflict remained central. After the May discussions, both sides committed to drafting separate proposals, or “memoranda,” detailing the conditions necessary to conclude the war.

Both U.S. officials and Russian negotiator Medinsky confirmed that they received Ukraine’s memorandum prior to the meeting. According to Reuters, which analyzed the document, Kyiv’s proposals included a 30-day ceasefire, a complete exchange of prisoners, the return of Ukrainian children relocated to Russian-occupied areas, and a potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin.

Russia did not disclose its proposals publicly, stating they would only be presented in person during Monday’s discussions. In response, Zelensky said on Sunday, “Despite this, we will strive to achieve at least some progress toward peace.”

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, mentioned that security advisors from Britain, Germany, and France were also expected in Istanbul for this week’s talks. According to Kellogg, the next phase will focus on consolidating the two memoranda into a single document that could serve as a foundation for ending the conflict.

Reporting by Reuters contributed to this article.