Russia-Ukraine peace talks to resume in Istanbul with Turkiye’s mediation

The second round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by Turkiye, is set to begin Monday at 1 PM local time at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace, Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will chair the trilateral meeting and will include senior officials from Russia, Ukraine, and Turkiye. Also expected to attend is Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

This meeting follows the first round of talks held on May 16 in Istanbul, where the parties agreed to a mutual prisoner exchange—1,000 from each side—and outlined preliminary positions on a potential cease-fire. All sides pledged to keep dialogue open and work toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict.

Turkiye, which maintains strong diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, continues to play a central role in mediating between the two countries.

Ahead of Monday’s talks, Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul with representatives from Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom to coordinate positions. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the delegation reiterated its dedication to pursuing a peaceful resolution.

“The Ukrainian delegation reaffirmed its commitment to peace efforts,” a ministry spokesperson stated.

A source within Ukraine’s delegation told AFP that Kyiv is entering the second round of talks with a clear agenda and a readiness to take “big steps” toward peace. “We hope the Russian side will engage seriously and avoid repeating previous ultimatums,” the source said.