Istanbul Talks: Russia's Last-Minute Memorandum Delays Progress in Ukraine Conflict

Ukraine and Russia remain locked in a tense standoff, with the recent talks in Istanbul yielding mixed results. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian delegation reported that Russia only handed over its memorandum during the meeting itself, leaving little time for review. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about Russia's commitment to a peaceful resolution. "Russia only provided its memorandum during the meeting in Istanbul," stated the spokesperson. "This shows a lack of seriousness." The urgency of the situation is underscored by Ukraine's insistence on the immediate release of all prisoners of war, highlighting the plight of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia. The spokesperson also mentioned a proposed exchange of severely wounded and ill prisoners of war. The Ukrainian delegation is pushing for a summit between leaders to make substantial progress in the peace negotiations. The international community's support for Ukraine's efforts is crucial in this ongoing conflict.