The second round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks took place on June 2, 2025, at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Turkiye, but ended with little progress toward ending the war that began in 2022. While a limited agreement on prisoner exchange was reached, there was no consensus on a ceasefire or the broader roadmap to peace.

The talks lasted for less than an hour, dashing hopes that this latest meeting might deliver breakthroughs on core issues, including a truce, territorial control, and demilitarisation.

Delegations and Key Figures Present

The Ukrainian side was represented by a high-profile delegation, including:

• Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence

• Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defence

• Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Oleksandr Bevz, Advisor to the Head of the President’s Office

They addressed the media following the brief talks, confirming that while a prisoner exchange deal was secured, the larger issue of a ceasefire remained unaddressed.

The Russian delegation chose not to make a public statement but reportedly reiterated their stance that NATO’s eastward expansion was a root cause of the conflict and must be part of any long-term peace solution.

Ceasefire Demand vs. Geopolitical Concerns

Ukraine’s primary demand in the talks was a “full and unconditional ceasefire”, a position President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration has consistently maintained.

Russia, however, continues to argue that any meaningful truce requires addressing what it calls “structural threats” to its national security — particularly the expansion of NATO and the military assistance being provided to Ukraine by Western nations.

This fundamental divergence of priorities continues to block even initial steps toward a framework for lasting peace.

Prisoner Exchange Agreed Upon

One of the only points of agreement from the Istanbul meeting was a prisoner exchange. According to officials:

• 41 Ukrainian prisoners of war will be returned

• In exchange, 35 Russian detainees held in Ukraine will be released

Although limited, this exchange was described by international observers as a “symbolic gesture of good faith”, reflecting that some channels of dialogue remain open.

Statements from the Ukrainian Side

After the meeting, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov expressed disappointment at the limited outcomes but reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to diplomatic engagement.

“Ukraine came with clear goals: peace, sovereignty, and freedom. These talks failed to address any of these adequately.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya added that Ukraine would not allow its sovereign rights or borders to be negotiated under pressure and stressed that time-bound diplomatic outcomes were urgently needed.

Russia’s Position: NATO as the Core Issue

While Ukraine focused on the immediate cessation of hostilities, Russia continued to insist that the conflict's root causes lie in NATO’s military footprint in Eastern Europe.

According to sources familiar with the Russian delegation’s input, the Kremlin maintains that the West’s arming of Ukraine, its integration into NATO, and economic sanctions on Russia have escalated tensions unnecessarily.

This narrative has been a consistent theme from Moscow since the war began, and Russian officials have repeatedly stated that unless these “structural threats” are resolved, any peace deal will remain fragile and temporary.

No Timetable for Further Talks

There was no joint communiqué, and neither side confirmed if a third round of peace talks was scheduled. Informally, diplomatic sources suggested that “technical teams” may continue backchannel discussions, but formal dialogue has stalled.

Turkey, which acted as the host and informal mediator, said it remained committed to supporting peace efforts and encouraged both sides to “return to the table with genuine intent.”

Global Reaction: Growing Frustration

The lack of progress drew muted but concerned reactions from global actors:

• The European Union called the meeting “a missed opportunity”

• The United Nations urged both sides to continue dialogue “without delay”

• NATO remained supportive of Ukraine’s territorial claims and right to self-defence

International humanitarian groups also expressed concern about the continuing hostilities, especially as civilian casualties and displacements rise in eastern Ukraine.

Tensions Still High on the Ground

Even as talks were being held in Istanbul, reports emerged of:

• Missile attacks near Kharkiv, with casualties reported

• Drone strikes in Russian-occupied areas in Donetsk

• Renewed military build-up along the Dnipro River

Both sides accused each other of undermining the peace process, with Ukraine alleging that Russia escalated airstrikes ahead of the talks, and Russia accusing Ukraine of sabotage operations in occupied territories.

Ukraine’s Non-Negotiables

President Zelenskyy’s office reiterated after the talks that Ukraine would not compromise on the following:

• Restoration of 1991 borders, including Crimea

• Complete withdrawal of Russian troops

• No foreign-imposed neutrality or alliances ban

• Accountability for war crimes and reparations

These demands remain unchanged, and Kyiv says they form the basis of any future peace agreement.

Russia’s Calculated Delay?

Some analysts believe Russia is pursuing a delaying strategy — using limited diplomacy to avoid additional sanctions, while continuing military operations on the ground to strengthen its bargaining power.

Others say Russia may be waiting for political shifts in the West, especially with elections approaching in key NATO countries, which could influence future diplomatic dynamics.

Conclusion: Still Far Apart

The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul has done little to bridge the vast gap between the two warring nations.

While the prisoner exchange agreement offers a small ray of hope, the fundamental disagreements on security, sovereignty, and regional influence continue to prevent a full ceasefire or political settlement.

Unless future dialogue addresses these core ideological and geopolitical divides, the war — now in its fourth year — risks becoming a protracted and unresolved conflict, with devastating consequences for both nations and the world.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on individual risk tolerance and consultation with SEBI-registered advisors. Market conditions are volatile and subject to change. Neither the author nor the platform is responsible for losses arising from use of this information.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Eppeltone Engineers, Aten Papers, Patil Automation, Oswal Pumps, Samay Projects Services, Monolithisch India.

The Current active IPO are Jainik Power Cables, Sacheerome Limited.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.