Key Facts
• May 16, 2025: Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul.
• Talks resumed on July 23, 2025, after a 1.5-month hiatus.
• This marks the third round of negotiations in 2025.
• Ukraine’s agenda: prisoner returns, abducted children, and summit preparation.
• Russia demands Ukraine’s de facto surrender, including troop withdrawal from four annexed regions.
• Russian spokesperson Peskov called the talks “very difficult” due to opposing proposals.
• Russia’s June memorandum demands Ukraine’s military retreat from annexed territories.
• Ukraine rejects Russia’s terms, citing unacceptable conditions.
• No significant progress is expected due to Russia’s unyielding stance.
Summary
Russia and Ukraine resumed direct negotiations on July 23, 2025, in Istanbul, marking the first talks in 1.5 months and the third round this year. Ukraine’s agenda includes prisoner exchanges, the return of abducted children, and summit preparations. However, Russia’s demands for Ukraine’s de facto surrender, including troop withdrawal from four annexed regions, remain unchanged. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the talks as “very difficult” due to opposing proposals. Ukraine has rejected Russia’s June memorandum, which includes terms it deems unacceptable. With no shift in Russia’s stance, significant progress toward resolving the conflict appears unlikely.
