Fight for peace: Ukraine and Russia end negotiations in Istanbul
Fight for peace: Ukraine and Russia end negotiations in Istanbul
Istanbul, Türkei - On June 2, 2025, the talks between Russia and Ukraine ended in Istanbul about the end of the Ukraine War. These negotiations, which lasted about an hour, aimed to discuss the conditions and perspectives for a possible ceasefire. Ukraine handed over a list of kidnapped children to the Russian delegation, while Russia presented a memorandum to the end of the war.
Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj was skeptical about the willingness to negotiate Moscow. Ukraine demands an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a first step. Despite this demand, Russia only proposes a ceasefire of two to three days in certain areas. Moscow also combines a break of fire with conditions, which includes waiver of arms deliveries to Ukraine.
The way to a ceasefire
Selenskyj also explained that Ukraine agreed to the US proposal for a first 30-day ceasefire under certain circumstances. This ceasefire would include air strikes, attacks on the Black Sea and the entire front line. At the same time, he emphasized that the United States is now to convince Russia of this proposal in order to serve as a confidence -building measure for diplomatic steps for the release of captured Ukrainians and to return kids. Selenskyj admits that Ukraine cannot expect the reconquest of Russian areas in the event of an armistice.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and even the former President Donald Trump have announced that they will submit the range of Russia. Trump expressed hope that Russia will quickly agree to go into the next phase of the negotiations and plan to invite Selenskyj back into the White House. According to reports, Russia does not rule out contact with the United States in the coming days.
historical perspective
The situation refers to a long course of the ceasefire negotiations, which started after the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in spring 2022. However, these initial negotiations failed, as did later diplomatic efforts, including the UN resolutions that Russia's attitude could not change. Until February 2025, no bilateral peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were carried out, although various attempts at mediation were made, including those that went back to the pressure of the EU and the USA.
In summary, it can be said that the current negotiations in Istanbul are a new attempt to solve years of conflicts between the two countries. According to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the possibility of a prisoner exchange was also discussed. However, the expectations from both Ukraine and Russia will continue to be critical for the next talks that are scheduled for between June 20 and 30 June.The negotiations ended "without negative result", which could be a ray of hope for some observers. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the required solutions and conditions can actually be implemented or whether the differences between the two sides prevent an agreement again.
For detailed information about the developments of the negotiations, the reports of Fr. , n-tv.de and DetailsOrt Istanbul, Türkei Quellen