ISTANBUL – Russian and Ukrainian negotiators concluded their second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on Tuesday, achieving partial humanitarian agreements while leaving broader conflict resolution unresolved. The one-hour meeting produced three concrete outcomes: a 2-3 day localized ceasefire for corpse retrieval, establishment of a medical commission for wounded soldier exchanges, and a prisoner swap framework focusing on severely injured combatants and those under age 25.
Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky announced Moscow’s unilateral commitment to transfer 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers’ remains next week. Both sides agreed to exchange all critically wounded prisoners under an “all for all” principle, plus at least 1,000 young captives from each side. Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov confirmed these arrangements while noting Russia rejected Kyiv’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
Diverging Paths Forward
The negotiations revealed continued fundamental disagreements. Russia presented what it called a “detailed” conflict resolution memorandum, which Ukrainian officials said requires week-long study before response. Ukraine proposed holding the next round before month’s end, though no date was mutually confirmed.
These talks follow May’s Istanbul meeting that secured a 1,000-prisoner exchange but failed to address core military issues. Observers note the selective progress reflects both sides’ tactical calculations – addressing humanitarian concerns without compromising battlefield positions as the conflict enters its third year.
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