ISTANBUL, Turkey — Ukraine has announced its readiness to take “necessary steps for peace” as it prepares for high-stakes talks with Russia in Istanbul, a diplomatic effort aimed at ending Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. The negotiations, taking place at the historic Ciragan Palace on the Bosphorus, mark the first formal engagement between both sides in months.
The renewed dialogue comes in the wake of one of Ukraine’s boldest military operations yet — a daring drone strike that reportedly damaged 40 strategic Russian bombers deep within Russian territory. Despite such escalations, Kyiv is pushing forward with diplomacy, encouraged by international allies and mediated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a NATO summit in Vilnius, reiterated Kyiv’s commitment to a peaceful resolution. “We are ready to take the necessary steps for peace,” he declared, laying out key demands including an unconditional ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and the return of abducted Ukrainian children.
While the last round of talks held in Istanbul yielded a major prisoner swap, it failed to achieve a ceasefire. This latest effort, however, is being closely watched following increasing international pressure — including from U.S. President Donald Trump — for a peaceful solution.
Moscow, for its part, is expected to present a memorandum detailing its peace terms. The Kremlin has long insisted on addressing what it calls the “root causes” of the conflict — a broad term encompassing demands such as banning Ukraine from NATO, demilitarizing the country, and conceding significant territory. These terms have been flatly rejected by Kyiv and its Western backers, who view Russia’s invasion as an unprovoked act of aggression.
Ukraine’s negotiating team, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, has held pre-talk consultations with officials from the UK, Germany, and Italy. Russia’s delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin and a controversial figure known for justifying the invasion in official Russian narratives.
Despite the gap between both parties’ demands, sources close to the talks remain cautiously optimistic. A Ukrainian negotiator said progress is possible if Moscow moves away from past ultimatums. “If they are ready to move forward, not just repeat the same previous demands, then there may be good and big news today,” the source told AFP.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to press its advantage on the battlefield, particularly in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, where President Putin has ordered troops to establish a buffer zone. In response, Ukraine is demanding stronger Western-backed security guarantees, though proposals like NATO protection or foreign troop deployment remain off the table for now.
As tens of thousands lie dead, millions displaced, and cities reduced to rubble, the world watches closely. The outcome of the Istanbul talks could determine whether diplomacy offers a real path forward — or if the war is destined to grind on with no end in sight.
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