Istanbul Talks Yield Prisoner Swap, but Ceasefire Remains Elusive

Istanbul Talks: Prisoner Exchange Agreed, Ceasefire Remains Elusive Russia and Ukraine concluded talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, yielding a significant prisoner exchange agreement and a plan to return the bodies of fallen soldiers. However, the talks failed to produce a ceasefire agreement, despite the escalating conflict between the two nations. The discussions took place amidst a surge in attacks by both sides in recent days. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, stated, "We have specifically proposed a ceasefire for two or three days in certain sections of the front." This limited ceasefire, according to Medinsky, is intended to allow commanders to recover the bodies of their soldiers. Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian Defence Minister, confirmed the "all-for-all" prisoner swap agreement, adding, "We agreed to exchange all for all: seriously wounded and seriously sick prisoners of war." He also noted an agreement to return 6,000 to 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers. Turkish President Erdogan proposed a follow-up summit with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Donald Trump to further discuss the situation. While the prisoner exchange is a positive step, the continued absence of a ceasefire highlights the ongoing challenges in resolving the conflict.