Key Facts
• Russia and Ukraine held their third direct negotiation on July 23, 2025.
• Talks took place in Istanbul, Turkey, lasting less than an hour.
• Turkey’s foreign minister emphasized the goal of ending the war quickly.
• Russia agreed to a new prisoner exchange involving 1,200 individuals.
• Ukraine proposed a summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by late August.
• Both sides discussed a previously proposed peace memorandum.
• No significant progress was made toward a ceasefire due to major differences.
Summary
Russia and Ukraine conducted their third direct negotiation in Istanbul on July 23, 2025, amid ongoing conflict. The meeting, mediated by Turkey, lasted under an hour and resulted in an agreement for a prisoner exchange involving 1,200 individuals. Ukraine proposed a summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of August. Despite discussions on a prior peace memorandum, no substantial progress toward a ceasefire was achieved due to significant differences between the two sides.
