Prisoner Swap, No Ceasefire: Ukraine-Russia Talks End in Stalemate

Ukraine and Russia engaged in their first face-to-face talks in three years on May 16th, 2025, in Istanbul. The talks, facilitated by the US and Turkey, resulted in a prisoner exchange of 1,000 POWs. However, Russia's rejection of a ceasefire has prompted criticism from Western powers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, "Our number one priority is a full unconditional and honest ceasefire." This was echoed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described the Russian position as "unacceptable." The meeting, lasting only two hours, underscores the complexity of the conflict and the challenges ahead in achieving peace. The US President acknowledged that progress will be limited as long as Putin is involved, suggesting a potential role for Trump in future negotiations. Despite the setback of the stalled ceasefire, the prisoner exchange represents a small step towards de-escalation.