A second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Istanbul without a breakthrough, as the two sides once again failed to agree on an unconditional ceasefire. However, both parties committed to a new prisoner exchange and the repatriation of soldiers’ remains.

Ukrainian negotiators confirmed that Russia had rejected their demand for a full ceasefire — a key priority for Kyiv and its Western allies. Instead, Russia proposed a limited, short-term truce in unspecified frontline areas, but offered few details.

Despite the stalemate on ending hostilities, the talks — which lasted just over an hour — did result in a humanitarian agreement to exchange all sick and severely wounded prisoners of war, as well as those under the age of 25.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s delegation, reiterated Ukraine’s call for a “full and unconditional” 30-day ceasefire across land, sea, and air. He criticized Russia for only presenting its truce proposal during the talks, despite receiving Ukraine’s offer days earlier.

President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russia’s suggestion of a temporary ceasefire to recover bodies, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “I think ‘idiots’, because the whole point of a ceasefire is to stop people from becoming dead.”

Russia and Ukraine did agree to return the bodies of 12,000 fallen soldiers, with each side planning to repatriate around 6,000.

Russia Maintains Hardline Demands

Russian state media outlined Moscow’s key demands following the talks, which include:

• A full Ukrainian military withdrawal from the partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
• Recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
• A permanent ban on Ukraine joining any military alliances.
• Limitations on Ukraine’s military size.
• Recognition of Russian as an official language.
• The lifting of international sanctions on Russia.

Ukraine and its allies have rejected these terms, calling them unacceptable and tantamount to surrender.

Hopes for Presidential Talks Remain Uncertain

Ukraine also handed over a list of children it says were forcibly taken to Russia, demanding their safe return. Kyiv’s negotiators said they expect a formal response from Moscow to their proposals by the end of June and are hoping to prepare for a direct meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin — though no signs point to such a summit happening soon.

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the prisoner swap agreement but did not specify when it would be carried out.

Meanwhile, Zelensky, speaking from a summit in Vilnius, emphasized the need to bolster Ukraine’s defense and urged the international community to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.

International Reactions

The lack of progress has frustrated Ukraine’s European partners, who accuse Russia of stalling negotiations to consolidate control over occupied areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously called for a swift settlement, has yet to back harsher sanctions on Russia. However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump is “open” to a potential three-way summit involving Zelensky and Putin, adding that he “wants both sides to come to the table.”

In a rare criticism last month, Trump labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy” following a wave of drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. The Kremlin dismissed the comments, suggesting Trump was experiencing “emotional overload.”

As the war continues with no clear end in sight, the failure to secure even a temporary ceasefire underscores the deep divisions between the two nations and the difficult path ahead for peace.