Russia-Ukraine peace talks collapse amid new demands

The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early weeks of Moscow's 2022 invasion concluded on Friday after less than two hours, according to reports from the Turkish Foreign Ministry and a senior Ukrainian official.

Kyiv accused the Kremlin of introducing new "unacceptable demands" regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from extensive territories. An official, speaking anonymously, stated that these demands had not been previously discussed.

The Ukrainian delegation reiterated its commitment to achieving tangible progress, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire and a pathway to substantive diplomacy, as proposed by the United States, European partners, and other nations. The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed the session's abrupt end.

Both delegations sat at a U-shaped table, yet stark differences remained regarding the conditions for concluding the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged both Moscow and Kyiv to seek resolution, expressed hopes for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating it would occur "as soon as we can set it up."

In Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation was led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian team was headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan opened the session with a call for both parties to "take advantage of this opportunity," stressing the critical importance of achieving a ceasefire swiftly.

In the days leading up to the talks, both nations engaged in diplomatic maneuvers to demonstrate their willingness to negotiate, despite frustrations over the slow progress. Putin had previously rejected a face-to-face meeting proposed by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who accused Moscow of not genuinely pursuing an end to hostilities by sending a low-level delegation.

Ukraine has accepted a U.S. and European proposal for a full, 30-day ceasefire. However, Putin's stringent conditions rendered this proposal effectively unattainable. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hinted that the momentum for a Trump-Putin summit is growing, though he cautioned that preparations would require time.

Meanwhile, fighting continues unabated. Ukrainian government and Western military analysts report that Russian forces are gearing up for a new military offensive. A recent drone strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk resulted in the death of a 55-year-old woman and injuries to four men, all employees of a municipal utility.

Russia's invasion has claimed over 12,000 Ukrainian civilian lives, according to the United Nations, and has devastated numerous towns and villages. Military casualties are also substantial, with tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers fallen and likely a larger number of Russian troops.

On the battlefield, a Ukrainian soldier expressed skepticism about the prospects for peace arising from the talks. "I don't think they will agree on anything concrete, because summer is the best time for war," he stated, using the call sign "Corsair" in accordance with military protocols. Yet, he noted that many comrades believe peace, albeit unstable, might be achievable by the year's end.

Prior to the talks, Ukrainian officials met with national security advisers from the U.S., France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to align their positions. The U.S. delegation was led by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, while Umerov and presidential office chief Andriy Yermak represented Ukraine.

A three-way meeting involving Turkey, the U.S., and Ukraine also took place, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kellogg in attendance. Rubio acknowledged low expectations for the Russia-Ukraine discussions, suggesting that significant progress may only arise from a direct meeting between Trump and Putin.

As Zelenskyy engaged with leaders of 47 European nations in Tirana, Albania, he asserted, "If the Russian representatives in Istanbul today cannot even agree to that, to a ceasefire, to this clearly necessary first step, then it will be 100 percent clear that Putin continues to undermine diplomacy." He concluded that if no progress was made, it would indicate a lack of serious intent from the Russian side.