Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks End After Less Than Two Hours With Prisoner Swap

The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years took place in Istanbul but lasted less than two hours without a substantive breakthrough. Both sides agreed on a large-scale prisoner swap involving 1,000 prisoners each and committed to presenting their visions for a possible ceasefire, but they remain deeply divided on key issues, including territory and security guarantees. Ukraine rejected Russia's new demands for withdrawal from large parts of occupied territory, which Russia insists on as a precondition for peace, a stance Kyiv and its allies have consistently opposed. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, emphasized the need for a full ceasefire and direct talks between the heads of state, which Russia acknowledged but did not agree to. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acted as mediator during the session, but both sides described the talks as a pause rather than a step toward resolution. Despite the lack of progress, the meeting marked a significant moment as the first face-to-face dialogue since the invasion began, with international leaders urging tough sanctions on Moscow if it refuses a ceasefire.