Russia and Ukraine have engaged in face-to-face negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey. This is the first time the two countries have directly communicated since peace talks in March 2022, approximately three years and two months ago.
According to Reuters on the 16th (local time), peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia commenced in the Dolmabahçe Presidential Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
Ukraine's representative, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, attended the meeting. Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the Russian president, also participated. Hakan Fidan, Turkey's foreign minister, attended as a mediator. The meeting was originally scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Korean time) but was delayed by about an hour.
The Ukrainian delegation noted, "We will prioritize discussions on an unconditional ceasefire and will propose a meeting between the two countries' leaders," according to a Ukrainian source cited by Reuters.
This source stated, "Humanitarian confidence-building measures are also necessary, particularly the repatriation of Ukrainian children, the release of detained civilians, and the exchange of prisoners of war based on the principle of exchange."
Russia regards these talks as a continuation of negotiations that were paused in March 2022, with the aim of "building long-term peace."
During the previous negotiations, Russia demanded Ukraine's status as a neutral country, recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, which was annexed in 2014, and acknowledgment of the independence of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, a hub for pro-Russian separatists.
Given that Russia's demands are effectively unacceptable to Ukraine, there is a high likelihood that the meeting will not produce notable results if there is no change in Russia's position.
This bilateral meeting progressed after Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly proposed it on the 11th, under pressure for a ceasefire from the United States and Europe. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy counter-proposed that the leaders meet instead of delegations, the proposal fell through due to President Putin's refusal.