The next stage of negotiations has started in Istanbul following Kiev’s drone strikes on Russian civilian and military facilities
FILE PHOTO: Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian officials attend Russia-Ukraine talks at Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul, Turkey. © Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov
The second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks begins in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Monday, on the heels of a fresh wave of dual UAV and missile strikes. Kiev has intensified drone attacks on Russian territory, targeting civilian infrastructure, trains, and military airfields, which Moscow claims are attempts to sabotage negotiations.
Just a day before scheduled talks, two bridges collapsed in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk border regions, leading to at least seven deaths and dozens of injured. The incidents were caused by sabotage, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.
Later that same day, drones targeted military airfields in Murmansk Region in the country’s north, in Ivanovo and Ryazan regions in western Russia, and in Irkutsk Region in Siberia and Amur Region in the Far East. In response to Kiev’s raids, Russia has launched several retaliatory strikes targeting Ukraine’s defense industry facilities, as well as military assembly points and warehouses.
Some military bloggers and analysts suggest that Kiev may have undertaken such actions to demonstrate to its Western supporters that it still has the means to continue fighting Russia, as well as to intimidate the Russian population.
On Sunday afternoon, Russia’s delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, arrived in Istanbul. Ukraine’s team for the meeting is headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to Reuters, the delegation from Kiev will propose a 30-day ceasefire, prisoner exchanges (the “all for all”principle), and the return of Ukrainian children from Russian-held areas, aiming for an eventual meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky.
The previous round of Istanbul talks on May 16, the first since 2022, saw 1,000 prisoners exchanged per side. Both parties agreed to draft ceasefire proposals for today’s discussion. Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin is open to holding high-level direct talks with Kiev. However, he said this should be preceded by tangible progress in the current negotiations.
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02 June 2025
09:33 GMT
Kiev’s negotiators have met with representatives from Germany, Italy, and the UK, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has said. The sides have “coordinated positions” ahead of the Istanbul talks, the ministry added.
- 08:54 GMT
Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky is expected to hold separate conversations on the sidelines of the Istanbul talks, a source has told RT. The agency provided no additional details.
- 08:48 GMT
The Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, has left its hotel in Istanbul and is en route to the talks, according to footage published by Russian media.
- 08:42 GMT
Turkish representatives have arrived at the venue for the Russia–Ukraine talks in Istanbul, according to footage released by Ruptly. The convoy comprised at least four vehicles, including a car with diplomatic license plates, a vehicle with a flashing light, presumably carrying a security detail, and a minibus.
- 08:36 GMT
Moscow expects Kiev to seriously consider its proposals at the Istanbul negotiations, including the terms for a potential ceasefire, Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has told RIA Novosti.
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Kremlin responds to Ukraine’s criticism of peace proposalHe added that Moscow sees no need to consider alternative venues for talks, saying Istanbul remains a suitable location at this stage.
- 08:24 GMT
Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization, is also expected to be present at the Russia–Ukraine talks, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source has told TASS.
- 08:12 GMT
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan plans to join the Russia–Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, RIA Novosti has reported, citing a Turkish diplomatic source. Fidan also took part in the first round of negotiations between the two sides in May.
- 07:55 GMT
Vladimir Zelensky has altered the line-up of Ukraine’s delegation ahead of the Istanbul talks, according to a decree published on his website.
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Zelensky ‘playing games’ instead of negotiating – Russian diplomatThe 14-member team, still led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, features three new officials, including Andrey Fomin, the head of international law at the General Staff; Yury Kovbasa, a representative of the parliamentary human rights commissioner; and Evgeny Ostyansky, deputy chief of the General Staff. Aleksey Malovatsky, head of the Department of International and Operational Law with Ukraine’s General Staff, who took part in earlier talks, has not been included this time.
- 07:19 GMT
Kiev’s delegation has arrived in Istanbul for the peace negotiations with Russia, a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has confirmed.
- 07:03 GMT
Journalists have gathered outside Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, where negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations are expected to start at 10:00 GMT, according to footage obtained by RT.
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