Ukraine, Russia Meet in Istanbul for Third Round Peace Talks

Officials from Ukraine and Russia are set to meet in Istanbul for a third round of peace talks, focusing primarily on prisoner of war exchanges rather than a ceasefire, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian negotiators, led by Vladimir Medinsky, have traveled to Turkey for the talks, marking the first meeting in over seven weeks. Previous discussions in Istanbul resulted in prisoner swaps but no progress toward ending the nearly three-and-a-half-year conflict. Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for increased momentum towards peace, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and other sources indicate that major diplomatic work remains, with Russia maintaining demands for Ukrainian military withdrawal from annexed eastern regions. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's recent ultimatum threatening sanctions if a peace deal is not reached within 50 days, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears determined to continue fighting until the West engages on Russia's terms. Ukraine's delegation for the talks includes several high-ranking officials appointed by Zelenskyy to negotiate alongside Russian representatives and international partners.