Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met on Friday at Turkey’s Dolmabahce Palace but failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire. The talks lasted less than two hours. Russia demanded Ukraine withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, some of which are not fully under Russian control. Ukraine refused to accept this condition, blocking progress toward a 30-day ceasefire.
Both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war, marking the largest swap since the start of the conflict in February 2022. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said both parties agreed in principle to hold another round of negotiations.
The prisoner swap offers a rare positive development amid stalled talks. However, Russia’s demand for Ukraine to give up key regions remains a major obstacle. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov indicated that the talks included discussions about a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said that both sides plan to submit formal ceasefire proposals soon.
Following the meeting, President Zelenskyy briefed his allies from the US, UK, France, Germany, and Poland. He also attended a summit in Albania where European leaders discussed regional security and democratic principles.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump, speaking in Abu Dhabi, said he would meet President Putin as soon as possible. Trump called for an immediate end to the war and expressed readiness to help resolve the conflict. His remarks increased international attention and pressure for a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
Despite no ceasefire deal, the agreement on the prisoner exchange and plans for further talks suggest a continuing effort toward dialogue. The world watches closely as both sides prepare their formal proposals and consider future negotiations.