Russia and Ukraine Hold First Direct Peace Talks in Three Years in Turkey

In a rare diplomatic development, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met face-to-face in Istanbul on Friday for their first direct peace talks in more than three years, as international pressure—particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump—intensifies to bring an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

The historic meeting took place at the opulent Dolmabahce Palace, situated on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the session with an urgent call for a ceasefire, stressing the need for both sides to seize the opportunity and prevent further bloodshed.

“There are two paths ahead of us,” Fidan told the delegations. “One leads to peace, the other to more destruction and death. The choice is yours.”

The significance of the moment was underscored by the symbolism in the room. Ukrainian negotiators, half of whom arrived in military fatigues, sat across from Russian officials in formal suits—a stark visual representation of the war that has ravaged Ukraine for over three years.

READ ALSO: UK PM: Putin Must Face Consequences for Dodging Peace in Ukraine

The last time representatives from both countries sat down for formal peace discussions was in March 2022, just a month after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

While hopes for a breakthrough remain modest, the Istanbul meeting is seen as a crucial step in reviving stalled diplomacy. President Trump, who recently concluded a Middle East tour, made it clear that progress toward peace would require direct talks between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin—talks that have yet to materialize.

Ukraine’s delegation made its priorities clear: any meaningful step toward peace must begin with a 30-day ceasefire, the safe return of abducted Ukrainian children, and a full exchange of prisoners of war. These demands reflect ongoing humanitarian concerns and Kyiv’s insistence on tangible actions rather than symbolic gestures.

Russia, on its part, maintains that it is open to ending the war through diplomacy. However, Moscow has expressed concerns that any pause in fighting could be exploited by Ukraine to regroup its military, bolster its forces with Western support, and prolong the conflict.

This underlying suspicion has fueled skepticism about Russia’s intentions, especially as President Putin declined to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in person—despite being the one to propose talks in Turkey. Instead, he opted to send a delegation of mid-level officials.

Critics in Kyiv and across Europe argue that Putin is using diplomacy as a stalling tactic, aiming to buy time while maintaining military pressure. Many Western officials view his absence from the talks as a lack of genuine commitment to peace.

Still, the Istanbul meeting signals that diplomatic channels, while fragile, remain open. The world is watching closely, aware that the stakes are nothing less than the future of peace and stability in Europe. Whether this new round of talks will lead to a lasting resolution remains uncertain—but for now, the dialogue has resumed, and that in itself is a step forward.