Russia-Ukraine: Peace Talks Falter Again Amid Putin’s Demands

The second attempt at direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine has ended in failure, much like the first round in Spring 2022. Delegates from both nations met face-to-face in Istanbul for the first time in three years but left without any tangible progress towards a ceasefire or war resolution, according to BBC reports. Analysts suggest that Russia may not genuinely seek an end to the conflict. During the talks, Russian delegates reportedly threatened Ukraine, demanding unconditional territorial concessions—a proposal deemed unacceptable by Ukrainian officials. While the two sides agreed on a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 captives each, Kyiv criticized Moscow’s demands as unrealistic and counterproductive. The discussions were seen as a continuation of earlier failed talks in 2022, which had unfavorable terms for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leveraged the occasion to strengthen diplomatic ties with allies, speaking with world leaders shortly after the negotiations concluded. Despite the setbacks, the meeting highlighted Zelenskyy’s strategic approach compared to Vladimir Putin’s reluctance to engage meaningfully in peace efforts.