Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks End Quickly in Istanbul After Drone Attacks

The second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul, marked by a tense atmosphere following Ukraine's large-scale drone attacks on Russian airbases, which inflicted significant damage on Russia's nuclear-capable bomber fleet. Despite hopes, the talks ended shortly, with no major breakthroughs on ceasefire terms, prisoner exchanges, or a leaders' summit, though Ukraine handed Russia a list of deported children it seeks to have returned. Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, emphasized the goal of achieving sustainable peace and preparing for a potential summit involving Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and U.S. leaders. The talks occurred amid heightened military escalation, with both sides exchanging drone attacks and Russia responding fiercely. Financial markets reacted positively to the peace efforts, with notable gains in stock indices and a surge in cryptocurrency prices, reflecting investor optimism about potential de-escalation. While the dialogue reflects ongoing international efforts to resolve the conflict, significant challenges remain as both parties maintain divergent positions.