Ukraine Rallies Western Allies After Ceasefire Talks with Russia Stall in Istanbul

Ukraine has called on its Western allies for stronger support after the first direct peace talks with Russia in over three years ended without a ceasefire agreement.

The high-stakes negotiations, held at an opulent palace in Istanbul, came amid mounting international pressure—especially from U.S. President Donald Trump—to bring an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

The talks, lasting less than two hours, marked the first face-to-face dialogue between the two nations since March 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While both sides confirmed an agreement to conduct a major prisoner exchange—1,000 prisoners from each side—the broader objective of securing a ceasefire proved elusive.

Russian officials expressed measured optimism, calling the meeting productive and stating their willingness to continue talks. However, Ukraine’s leadership swiftly began rallying international partners, warning that Russia’s proposals were unrealistic and amounted to ultimatums.

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According to a Ukrainian source close to the talks, Russia’s demands included a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from its own sovereign territories—terms Kyiv has dismissed as “non-starters.” The source, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described Moscow’s conditions as detached from reality and inconsistent with prior discussions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, following the breakdown in negotiations, engaged in a series of urgent calls with U.S. President Trump and the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland. Zelenskiy emphasized the need for robust new sanctions against Russia if it refuses to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire championed by Trump.

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Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed that Ukraine had requested direct talks between President Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Medinsky stopped short of committing to such a summit, he acknowledged that both sides had agreed to share their respective ceasefire proposals in more detail at a future round of discussions.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, the prisoner exchange agreement offered a rare glimmer of cooperation. Still, as the conflict drags on and civilian suffering mounts, Ukraine and its Western partners are preparing for more diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow in hopes of forcing meaningful movement toward peace.

For now, the road to resolution remains uncertain—fraught with geopolitical tension, deep-rooted mistrust, and sharply conflicting visions for Ukraine’s future.