Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Resume In Istanbul After Nuclear Capable Bomber Attacks

Russia and Ukraine Hold High-Stakes Peace Talks in Istanbul

Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Istanbul on Monday for their second round of face-to-face peace talks since 2022, with both sides still far apart on terms for a ceasefire or lasting resolution—just one day after Ukraine launched a rare strike on Russian nuclear-capable bombers.

The discussions are expected to center on proposals for a full ceasefire and potential roadmap toward peace, despite deep disagreements and external pressure, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has warned he may pull U.S. support for negotiations if progress is not made.

Russia’s delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed it had received a draft peace proposal from Ukraine ahead of the meeting. However, there is no indication that Kyiv has seen a counter-draft from Moscow. Ukraine’s team will be headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.

The previous round of negotiations, held on May 16 in Istanbul, produced a significant prisoner exchange—with 1,000 captives freed on each side—but no diplomatic breakthrough. Instead, both parties reiterated their initial positions, with little sign of compromise.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of trying to strong-arm it into surrender—an option it firmly rejects—while the Kremlin, buoyed by its fastest battlefield advances in six months, insists that peace will only come on Russian terms. Moscow has threatened further territorial gains if Kyiv resists.

Speaking from Lithuania, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the immediate goals at the talks include negotiating humanitarian issues such as prisoner returns and securing a ceasefire. He also reiterated that direct talks between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin could happen, but only when the conditions are right.

Despite little optimism, a Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv is prepared to take meaningful steps toward peace—if Russia shows genuine flexibility and avoids repeating prior demands.

Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian officials met with counterparts from Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom to align their diplomatic strategies.

Tense Atmosphere and Escalation

In Russia, the public mood remains dark. Prominent pro-war bloggers have urged the Kremlin to deliver a harsh response following Ukraine’s Sunday strike, which reportedly targeted Russian strategic bombers deep within Siberia.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched a record-breaking 472 drones in a single night—the highest count in the war so far.

While the U.S. role in the talks remains unclear, Trump envoy Keith Kellogg indicated that American officials will be involved. Delegates from Britain, France, and Germany are also expected to attend. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will preside over the talks, which are scheduled to begin at 10:00 GMT.

Putin originally proposed direct negotiations after dismissing demands from Ukraine and several European nations for a ceasefire.

Last year, he laid out his conditions for ending the war immediately: Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations and pull all forces out of four regions currently under Russian control—territories Russia claims to have annexed.

A draft proposal to be presented by Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul, seen by Reuters, outlines Kyiv’s position: no limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities, no recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied regions, and financial reparations from Moscow. The document also suggests that any talks on territorial adjustments should begin with the current front-line positions as the baseline.

Russia now controls nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory—approximately 113,100 square kilometers, an area comparable to the U.S. state of Ohio.

The conflict began in February 2022, when Putin launched a full-scale invasion after eight years of low-level fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. According to U.S. estimates, more than 1.2 million people have been killed or wounded since the war began.

President Trump has offered mixed messages—publicly criticizing both Putin and Zelenskiy—but maintains that peace is within reach. He has warned that if Moscow continues to stall, he could introduce severe sanctions.

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