The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, held in Turkey, ended without any significant progress, failing to reach a ceasefire agreement. This development has deepened the ongoing conflict, with both nations continuing to engage in military operations while seeking diplomatic resolutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a statement following these discussions, once again emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not be rewarded for his actions in the war, stating that any recognition of such actions would only embolden further aggression.
Despite an apparent memorandum of terms presented by the Russian delegation, Moscow rejected the U.S.-proposed unconditional ceasefire, which has already been accepted by Kyiv. The talks, which reportedly lasted less than one hour, saw the Russian delegation not only refuse to accept the ceasefire terms but also reject a proposed meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. The Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, stated that the Russian delegation’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue indicated the lack of genuine willingness to negotiate peace.
Following the talks, Ukraine reportedly handed over a list of names of several hundred children who were illegally deported and relocated from occupied territories. However, it remains unclear whether Russia has agreed to return these children, particularly as many have been adopted by Russian families. Zelenskyy, reflecting on the situation, reiterated his position that any reward for Putin’s actions would be detrimental to global stability and the fight against Russian aggression.
These talks occurred just one day after a significant drone strike, dubbed “Operation Spiderweb” by Ukraine, targeted Russia’s military complex, allegedly destroying roughly a third of its cruise missile carriers. Zelenskyy stated that this attack significantly weakened Russia’s military and underscored the importance of maintaining technological superiority in modern warfare.
Zelenskyy also emphasized the critical role of NATO in curbing Russian expansionism, arguing that denying Putin the ability to influence NATO membership is crucial to preventing further aggression. Granting Ukraine membership in NATO would provide Article 5 protections, meaning any attack on Ukraine would be treated as an attack on all NATO members, thus deterring potential Russian incursions.
Ukraine has been given one week to review Russia’s proposed ceasefire terms, which include a 30-day ceasefire followed by further negotiations. The initial agreement also suggests that negotiations on territory will begin from the current front line, with no restrictions on Ukraine’s military and calls for reparations for the damages sustained in the war. Zelenskyy, in a statement from the NATO summit in Lithuania, reiterate his demands for a united front against Russian aggression and the necessity of strong, collective decisions for Europe’s security.
The meeting between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey did not result in any new agreements, and the future of such talks remains uncertain. As the conflict continues, both nations face the challenge of balancing military operations with the pursuit of diplomatic solutions, all while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape that shapes the outcome of this ongoing conflict.