Talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations conclude in Istanbul

Talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, the official residence of the Turkish president, concluded on Friday, lasting less than two hours.

Local media and representatives of the Ukrainian delegation confirmed the end of the meeting. Russia’s state news agency TASS initially reported that the discussions had been “paused” and would continue, but later confirmed that the delegations had dispersed, and statements were being prepared for the press.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian delegation was headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin.

In comments to Sky News, a Ukrainian official described the Russian delegation's demands as "unrealistic," citing one demand for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from territories they currently control. Meanwhile, a separate Ukrainian source told CNN that the Russian delegation "lacked a mandate to make significant decisions," adding that “they are not ready to take any meaningful steps to end the war.”

The Istanbul meeting marked the first direct talks between the two sides since March 2022, following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Those initial talks, also held in Istanbul, ultimately ended without any agreement.

The latest round of talks was initially scheduled to begin on May 15 but was delayed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had requested a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, but Putin did not attend.

On May 15, Zelenskyy held discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara before departing Turkey later in the day.