Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet today in Istanbul

On Monday afternoon around 12:00, direct talks will once again begin in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

The aim of this new round of talks is to work towards a lasting peace, but hopes were high for that last time as well, in mid-May, when representatives of both warring countries met in Turkey and Zelensky was left in the lurch by Putin's no-show. In the end, the only agreement reached at that time was to exchange prisoners of war. Both sides also agreed to outline their terms for starting peace negotiations. These terms are expected to be discussed today.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. This new round of talks has come about at Moscow’s suggestion. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky only confirmed Ukraine’s participation on Sunday. He continues to stress that a high-level conversation is absolutely necessary in order to achieve lasting peace. Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. Kyiv is demanding a "complete and unconditional" ceasefire, the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, Zelensky reiterated once again on Sunday evening.

(SR – Source: X/Reuters/Kyiv News/Euronews – Illustration: ©Unsplash)