ISTANBUL – Ukraine has appealed to its Western allies to continue exerting pressure on Russia following the collapse of high-level peace talks between the two countries — the first direct dialogue in over three years. The meeting, held in Istanbul on May 16, failed to result in a ceasefire agreement, despite growing international calls for an end to the war.
The negotiations, which took place at a historic palace in Istanbul, lasted less than two hours. While both parties agreed to a major prisoner exchange — 1,000 prisoners of war from each side — they remained sharply divided on broader issues.
Ukraine pushed for an immediate ceasefire to halt ongoing hostilities, but Russia insisted on continuing diplomatic discussions before making any such commitment. The opposing positions left little room for compromise.
A Russian envoy described the talks as a “productive step forward,” yet Ukrainian officials rejected Moscow’s demands, calling them “non-starters.”
The breakdown in talks comes amid pressure from world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged a swift resolution to what remains the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
As diplomatic efforts falter, Ukraine is reinforcing its call for unwavering support from the international community to counter what it sees as Russia’s ongoing aggression and unwillingness to pursue peace in earnest.
