The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
Russia and Ukraine are set to resume direct peace negotiations in Istanbul, with both sides expected to review and exchange draft memorandums aimed at establishing a temporary truce and potentially restarting the stalled peace process, according to a Kremlin announcement on Friday.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian delegation is scheduled to leave for Istanbul over the weekend and will be ready to engage in a new round of talks with Ukraine starting Monday morning. “The key agenda will include draft peace memorandums from both parties, and one of the central points of discussion will be ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea,” said Peskov.
He added that while the focus remains on a temporary ceasefire, the possibility of high-level contacts involving leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States could emerge, depending on how the negotiations progress.
The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The last face-to-face talks were held on May 16 in Istanbul — the first such meeting since March 2022 — but they ended without any agreement on a ceasefire.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov indicated earlier this week that Kyiv has already shared its draft peace memorandum with the Russian delegation and is awaiting a formal response. “We are ready to engage seriously, but any proposal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Umerov said on Wednesday.
In parallel, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that Russia will present its own memorandum at the talks, along with additional ceasefire proposals. These documents are expected to include provisions for humanitarian corridors, prisoner exchanges, and de-escalation measures around contested regions.
Diplomatic coordination for the talks is being closely supported by Turkey, which has previously hosted several rounds of Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation on Friday to review the logistics and goals for the upcoming meeting.
Fidan, who visited Moscow earlier this week, traveled to Kyiv on Friday, where he met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. According to a statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Fidan briefed Sybiha on Russia’s current position and expressed Turkey’s continued commitment to facilitating meaningful dialogue between the two countries.
Analysts view the renewed diplomatic effort as a cautiously optimistic sign amid growing international concern about the protracted war’s humanitarian toll and global economic repercussions. The inclusion of Black Sea navigation in the discussions signals a broader focus on regional stability, especially in light of recent disruptions to global grain exports due to military blockades.
While the outcome of the talks remains uncertain, observers say the exchange of written proposals marks a critical step forward after months of deadlock. “Even a limited ceasefire could help prevent further loss of life and pave the way for more structured negotiations down the line,” said a European diplomatic source involved in the preparations.
As the world watches closely, the Istanbul talks may represent one of the last few diplomatic openings before deeper entrenchment of hostilities.
