In a long-anticipated diplomatic development, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in over three years on May 16 at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Türkiye. The high-level meeting marked the most substantial attempt at dialogue between the warring neighbors since the collapse of earlier negotiations in April 2022. Although no final agreement was reached, both sides reported preliminary progress, including plans for a large-scale prisoner exchange and potential outlines for a future ceasefire.

The nearly two-hour meeting, held under the auspices of Türkiye and supported by the United States, was described as “constructive” by both delegations. Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, and Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led their respective teams, confirmed that each side had agreed in principle to a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees. While symbolic, the gesture represents a modest but meaningful move toward rebuilding trust between two governments that have remained locked in a bitter and bloody war since February 2022.

“We are ready for compromises and open to continued dialogue,” said Medinsky, a presidential aide and experienced Kremlin negotiator. “The Ukrainian side has expressed interest in a summit between our presidents, and we have taken note of this.”

Umerov echoed this cautiously optimistic tone, telling reporters that the talks had focused on humanitarian issues and a framework for a potential ceasefire. “We will issue an update shortly on further negotiation rounds,” Umerov added. While no dates have been confirmed, both delegations indicated a willingness to reconvene in the near future.

This renewed dialogue is taking place in a dramatically different global context than the failed 2022 talks. The war, now in its third year, has devastated Ukraine, displaced millions, and caused an estimated half a million military........

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