Russia-Ukraine Talks Conclude in Istanbul: Prisoner Exchange, Future Meetings on the Horizon

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Istanbul: Key Outcomes and Future Prospects On May 16, 2025, a significant round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks concluded in Istanbul, Turkey. The discussions, initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, lasted nearly two hours and yielded several key agreements. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, provided an exclusive interview summarizing the outcomes. "In general, we are satisfied with the results," Medinsky stated, highlighting a significant prisoner exchange as a major achievement. The exact numbers exchanged were not disclosed in the interview, but the scale of the exchange was emphasized as a positive step. The Ukrainian delegation, however, expressed a desire for higher-level talks, requesting a direct meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin. This request was acknowledged by the Russian side, signaling a potential path for future negotiations. The atmosphere was described as tense, with no handshakes or initial pleasantries exchanged between the two delegations. The involvement of Turkey as a neutral host and the presence of US representatives further underscore the international significance of these talks. While the immediate future of the conflict remains uncertain, the agreements reached in Istanbul offer a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution.