Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Collapse After Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Nuclear Bombers

A recent round of peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine ended abruptly after about an hour, following Ukraine's significant drone strikes on Russian airbases deep inside Russia, damaging a notable portion of Russia's strategic long-range nuclear bomber fleet. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated these attacks were intended to pressure Russia, while Russia accused Ukraine of sabotaging the talks and retaliated by accusing Ukraine of blowing up rail bridges near the border, causing civilian casualties. Both sides agreed to a prisoner swap involving around 1,000 prisoners and the exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers, but no ceasefire or broader peace agreement was reached, with Ukraine demanding an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a precondition for further negotiations. Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia's military losses, including those from the drone strikes, should push Russia toward genuine diplomacy and warned that Ukraine's defense efforts protect all of Europe. The talks' collapse was further complicated by the timing of the drone attacks, which surprised even U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, who was not informed beforehand. Despite the setbacks, diplomatic efforts continue, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaging with Russian officials to pursue political resolution amid ongoing hostilities.