Ukraine Proposes Unconditional Ceasefire Amid Istanbul Talks

Talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations have begun in Istanbul, following a trilateral meeting between representatives of Ukraine, Türkiye, and the United States, Orda.kz reports.

After the meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov — who is leading Ukraine’s delegation — shared a statement on Facebook outlining Kyiv’s position on ending the conflict.

Ukraine is ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire. <...> We arrived in Istanbul to find real paths to a lasting and just peace. It is only possible if the Russian Federation demonstrates readiness for concrete steps, including a complete ceasefire for at least 30 days and the implementation of humanitarian measures such as the return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children and a prisoner exchange under the 'all for all' formula
 Umerov wrote.

The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, aide to President Vladimir Putin. 

Meanwhile, on May 14, Zelenskyy asserted that Ukraine has faced more diplomatic pressure than Moscow to end the war. Ukraine also blamed Russia for undermining the expected peace talks in Istanbul by demanding a one-on-one meeting, excluding Turkish or U.S. officials, at the last minute.

Reportedly, among the Russian delegation's demands were for Kyiv to withdraw Ukrainian troops from regions of Ukraine that are listed in the Russian Constitution for a ceasefire, while a Ukrainian source told Reuters that Moscow’s demands were “non-starters.”

Today's talks lasted less than two hours. No ceasefire was agreed upon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy summarized the outcome, stating that Ukraine is prepared to take realistic steps to end the war:

This week, we had a real chance to take an important step. But Putin was afraid and did not come to Türkiye. I was in Ankara yesterday (thanks to President Erdoğan for the invitation and reception), and I was ready for a direct meeting with Putin in the Turkish capital or in Istanbul. I was prepared to address all key issues. But he [Putin] refused. It is clear that the Russian delegation that arrived in Istanbul was of a very low level,
Zelenskyy said. 

Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak described the outcome as "none at all." However, some media outlets, including Interfax, report that Russia and Ukraine have only paused negotiations and that the dialogue is not over.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that only a direct meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin could yield real results.

Incidentally, Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul. They are now having a joint meeting in Albania. They reportedly asked to increase pressure on Russia.

Medinsky later announced that Ukraine requested direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin, which was taken into consideration, and that a "1000 for 1000" prisoner exchange would be held soon.

Reports also indicate that Russia threatened to seize the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.