Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Russia, Ukraine Talks End with Little Progress Amidst Prisoner Exchange Deal
Russia and Ukraine met in Turkey to talk about ending their war, but they didn't agree on much.
They did agree to swap prisoners of war.
Ukraine wants a full stop to fighting before discussing anything else.
Russia wants to talk about why the war started, including disagreements about NATO.
Ukraine wants their president to meet with Russia's president to try and make progress.
They also want Russia to return hundreds of children they believe were taken from Ukraine.
Both sides have different ideas about what needs to happen to end the war.
Talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul yielded little progress despite prisoner exchange agreements.
Ukraine demanded a full ceasefire before substantive discussions, while Russia sought to address the 'root cause' of the conflict.
Ukraine proposed a meeting between presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of June.
Agreements were made for prisoner exchanges, including the return of 1,000 prisoners and 6,000 bodies.
Ukraine is seeking the return of nearly 400 children allegedly abducted by Russia.
- Who
- Representatives from Russia and Ukraine.
- What
- Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine regarding the ongoing conflict.
- When
- The meeting took place in Istanbul on Monday.
- Where
- Istanbul, Turkiye.
- Why
- To negotiate an end to the war.
Ukrainian Stance
Russian Stance
Ceasefire terms
Ukrainian Stance
Ukraine insists on a full and unconditional ceasefire as a basis for future talks.
Russian Stance
Russia wants to address the "root cause" of the conflict by discussing opposition to NATO expansion.
- Location
- Istanbul, Turkiye
- Main Focus
- Negotiations to end the war.
- Progress Made
- Agreements on prisoner exchange.
- Ukrainian Demand
- Full ceasefire and return of abducted children.
- Russian Stance
- Address "root cause" of conflict.